Eugenia polystachya Richard (1792: 110)

13. Eugenia polystachya Richard (1792: 110) View in CoL .

Type:— FRENCH GUIANA. Cayenne , Leblond s.n. (P) ( Fig 2J View FIGURE 2 , 4 View FIGURE 4 A-D)

Trees 3–5.4 m. Twigs densely pubescent, the indumentum whitish. Leaves with petioles 4–6 mm long, pubescent, channeled; blades elliptic to broadly so, 4.9–7.5 × 1.5–5 cm, densely pubescent, the indumentum whitish, chartaceous, discolorous; glands not seen; base cuneate or rounded; apex acute or acuminate, rarely cuspidate; midvein adaxially impressed; lateral veins visible, not arched, 31 to 35 pairs; intra-marginal vein 1–2 mm from the margin, margin flat. Inflorescence terminal, raceme simple, the axis 10–16 cm long, pubescent, the indumentum whitish; bracts lanceolate, 1–2 × 2 mm, densely pubescent, persistent in the fruit; pedicels 6–13 mm long, pubescent; bracteoles deltate or orbicular, 2–3 × 1 mm, pubescent, persistent in the fruit; flower buds globose, 2–3 × 2 mm, not constricted above ovary; calyx-lobes free, four, orbicular or oblong, 2 × 3 mm, pubescent, not reflexed, persistent in the fruit; ovary 2–locular. Immature fruits globose, 4–7 × 3–5 cm, pubescent, surface smooth.

Note:— Eugenia polystachya may be recognized by its densely pubescent, elliptic to broadly elliptic leaves; its globose buds; and its globose fruit, which are pubescent and have a smooth surface. This species is morphologically similar to E. patens from which it is distinguished by its fruit with a smooth surface (vs. muricate surface) and its densely pubescent leaves (vs. glabrescent or sparsely pubescent).

Distribution and habitat:— Known from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru and northeastern and northwestern Brazil ( Acre, Amazonas, Amapá, Maranhão Pará and Roraima states) (POWO 2020, Flora do Brasil). In Amazonian Maranhão, E. polystachya was found growing in “terra firme” forest and flooded forest.

Phenology:— Flowering from October to December and fruiting in January, May, October and November.

Specimens examined:— BRAZIL. Maranhão: Maracassumé River Region , 06 May 1932 (fr.), R.L. Fróes 1737 ( NY!) . Anajatuba , 3°15’52” S, 44°37’11” W, 24 January 1976 (fr.), B.G.S. Ribeiro & G.S. Pinheiro 1198 ( IAN!) GoogleMaps ; 26 January 1976 (fr.), B.G.S. Ribeiro & G.S. Pinheiro 1215 ( IAN!) ; Estrada de Anajatuba , 21 November 1978 (fl.), L.R. Marinho & G.S. Pinheiro 611 ( IAN!) . Santa Inês, Margem direita do Rio Pindaré , 3°40’01” S, 45°22’48” W, 13 December 1978 (fl.), N. A. Rosa 2953 ( NY!) GoogleMaps . São Luís, Estrada do Sacavem , February-March-1939 (fl.), R.L. Fróes 11565 ( NY!) . São Vicente Ferrer, Banderante N to Pinheiro , 3°00’00” S, 45°10’12” W, 17 October 1980 (fl.), D. C. Daly D671 ( NY!) GoogleMaps . Vitória do Mearim, Rio Mearim , 3°27’44” S, 44°52’14” W, 16 January 1976 (fr.), N.T. Silva 4201 ( IAN!) GoogleMaps . Turiaçu, km 6 da BR 106 Maracaçumá-Sta. Helena , 1°39’48” S, 45°22’18” W, 01 December 1978 (fl.), N. A. Rosa 2803 ( NY!) GoogleMaps .