Eugenia biflora (L.) DC.

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett. 1969. The botany of the Guayana Highland-part VIII. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 18: 1-290.

  • Family

    Myrtaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Eugenia biflora (L.) DC.

  • Discussion

    Myrtus biflora L., Syst. Nat. ed. 10. 1056. 1759.

    Eugenia mini Aubl., PI. Guiane Fr. 498. pi. 197. 1775.

    Eugenia inundata 7 acutifolia Berg, Mart. Fl. Bras. 14(1): 520. 1858.

    Eugenia meyeriana Berg, Mart. Fl. Bras. 14(1): 588, ex descr. 1859.

    Eugenia myriostigma Sagot, Anr\. Sci. Nat. Wl. 20: 194. 1885.

    Eugenia caurensis Steyerm., Fieldiana Bot. 28: 1010. 1957

    Probably the most widespread, and certainly the most variable, of any native species of the family. The leaves vary from rather broadly ovate to narrowly lanceolate, narrowly ehiptic, or even linear (when they may be about the same shape as the needles of Abiesl). The racemes may be luxuriantly flowered, or much reduced. For synonymy and discussion of variation see the Flora of Peru (Field Mus. Pub. Bot. 13(4): 684. 1958). Almost invariably the species may be recognized by the mucronate, impressed-punctate leaves, and the silky-pubescent inflorescence with narrow, acute, bracts and bracteoles.

    Most of the specimens from the Guayana region are from relatively narrowleaved plants like the type of Eugenia caurensis Steyerm. Similar plants are frequent along the upper Amazon. At the other extreme are plants with ovate, thickly coriaceous leaves and stout racemes.

  • Distribution

    Colombia South America| Suriname South America| Venezuela South America| Guyana South America| Suriname South America| French Guiana South America|