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Family:

Myrtaceae (Magnoliophyta)

Primary Citation:

Fieldiana, Bot. 29(8): 485. 1963

Accepted Name:

This name is currently accepted.

Common Names:

twinberry, twinberry stopper, twinberry

Description:

Author: Maria Lúcia Kawasaki

Description: Trees to 10 m tall. Bark smooth, red-orange, peeling in large plates. Leaves: petioles 4-6 mm long; blades obovate or elliptic, 4-6 × 2-4 cm, drying olive-green above, yellowish-green below, coriaceous, glabrous, densely pellucid-punctate on both surfaces, the base cuneate, the apex obtuse to acute; midvein impressed on the upper surface; lateral veins to 10 pairs, slightly salient on both surfaces; marginal veins 2, the innermost 1-2 mm from margin. Inflorescences terminal, dichasia with 3 or 7 flowers; peduncles to 6 cm long, pubescent to glabrous; bracteoles linear, 2-3 mm long. Flowers: buds obovoid, 2-3 mm long; hypanthium white-sericeous; calyx lobes suborbicular, 2-3 mm long, glabrous; petals ca. 5 mm long, glabrous; stamens ca. 6 mm long; style ca. 6 mm long. Fruits subglobose, ca. 1 cm diam., glabrous; seeds ca. 4 mm long.

Common names: Guayabillo

Distribution: Mexico to northern South America and West Indies (Barrie, 2007).

Ecology: Dry scrub or evergreen forest with extensive andesitic outcrops.

Phenology: Fr in Aug.

Pollination: No observations recorded.

Dispersal: No observations recorded but the fruits are eaten by anmals, especially birds, and the seeds are most likely dispersed by them.

Taxonomic notes: The red bark that peels in very large plates makes this a very conspicuous, easily recognized tree. Flowers with either 4- or 5-merous calices appear on the same plant. This species description was prepared for the Plants and Lichens of Saba project and most accurately describes it as it occurs on this island.

Uses: None recorded

Etymology: The epithet alludes to fragrance of the plant, perhaps to an aroma released when the leaves are crushed as is the case with many Myrtaceae.

Flora and Monograph Treatment(s):

Myrcianthes fragrans (Sw.) McVaugh: [Article] Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.