Eugenia myrcianthes

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Campomanesia cagaiteira
• Calomyrtus excelsa
• Luma myrcianthes
• Psidium amygdalinum
• Hexachlamys excelsa
• Eugenia montevidensis
• Hexachlamys edulis
• Myrcia gemmiflora
• Myrcianthes edulis
• Myrcia sparsifolia
• Myrtus excelsa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Myrtales, it is classified under the family Myrtaceae and is specifically identified by the genus Eugenia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several regions of South America. In Western South America, its presence is specifically noted within Bolivia. Within Brazil, the species can be found spanning the West-Central, Southeast, and South regions. Additionally, it extends into the Southern part of the continent, specifically in Northeast Argentina. Together, these locations highlight a diverse range of habitats for the species across the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Eugenia myrcianthes is characterized by its preference for low-altitude environments, occurring within an elevational range that begins at 0 m AMSL and reaches a maximum of 500 m AMSL. This species is typically found inhabiting the "bosque bajo," or understory layer of the forest, where it occupies a specific niche within the lower vegetation strata.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque bajo

Life history

The life history of Eugenia myrcianthes is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over many years. As a phanerophyte, it develops significant woody structures that elevate its photosynthetic organs above the ground, though it can also be classified under the nanophanerophyte life form depending on the specific growth stage or environmental context. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, undergoing seasonal leaf shedding as part of its physiological rhythm.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Eugenia myrcianthes is characterized by a woody growth habit that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. This species is a self-supporting, terrestrial plant that does not function as a climber or an epiphyte, and it maintains an independent lifestyle rather than acting as a parasite. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a mean height of approximately 5 m, though it is capable of reaching a maximum height of up to 8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Eugenia myrcianthes is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle without the specialized carbon-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic framework dictates its carbon assimilation efficiency and water-use dynamics within its specific ecological niche. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, instead relying on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to support its growth and protein synthesis.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Eugenia myrcianthes has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Epicatechin, Flavonoids, Gallic acid, Proanthocyanidins, Saponins.

Epicatechin

1. Microbial pathogenesis

Flavonoids

1. Natural product research

Gallic acid

1. Microbial pathogenesis

Proanthocyanidins

1. Natural product research

Saponins

1. Natural product research

Tannins

1. Natural product research

Triterpenes

1. Natural product research

Activities

Eugenia myrcianthes has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research