Eugenia trinervia Vahl

  • 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 trinervia Vahl

  • Discussion

    Myrtus vahlii Spreng. Syst. 2: 484. 1825, non Mvrtus trinervia J. E Sm (1797) nee Loureiro (1790).

    Eugenia ? vahlii (Spreng.) D C , Prodr. 3: 279. 1828.

    Eugenia brachystachy^ BcYK.Linnaca 27: .301. 1856.

    Eugenia perplexans. R. O. Williams, Fi. Trinidad & Tobago 1: 350. 1934

    There is no doubt of the identity of Eugenia trinervia; Vahl's description and plate surely represent the same plant as the specimen in Vahl's herbarium (Field Mus. neg. 23015). I have seen at B M what is probably an isotype, cohected by von Rohr, labelled "No. 159" and "Gouavier des Montagues." The very broad leaves, rounded to sub-cordate at base, with two very strong nerves 10-15 m m from the margin, are unlike those of any other species in northern South America. There may be doubt as to the source of Vahl's specimens, which according to his account were collected by von Rohr in "Cajenna." Apparently the species has not again been collected on the South American mainland, but it is known from Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Vincent, and Trinidad. It is likely that von Rohr's specimens came from the Antilles rather than from French Guiana.

    In an isotype of Eugenia perplexans {Williams 12200, N Y ) the leaves are only 4-6 cm wide instead of 10 cm or more as usual in West Indian specimens of E. trinervia, and the strong side-nerves are only 6-10 m m from the margin, but in other respects the foliage and inflorescence are very like those of E. trinervia