New species of Myrcia s.l. (Myrtaceae) from Campo Rupestre, Atlantic Forest and Amazon Forest

Abstract

The present study describes four new species of the exclusively Neotropical Myrcia s.l., which includes the genera Calyptranthes, Marlierea and Myrcia. The new species are named Myrcia cataphyllata (related to Myrcia bicolor), Myrcia elevata (related to Marlierea velutina), Myrcia megaphylla (very distinct from other species of Myrcia) and Myrcia sessilissima (related to Myrcia tomentosa). They are endemic to their respective biomes: one endemic to the Amazon forest (M. elevata); one from the Campo Rupestre (‘Rocky Fields’) vegetation (M. sessilissima); and two from the Atlantic Forest (M. cataphyllata and M. megaphylla). In addition to the descriptions, the study provides illustrations and comments about the distribution, habitat, phenology and taxonomic affinities of these species.