Myrciaria alta is a species of plant in the family Myrtaceae, endemic to Espírito Santo, Brazil.[1] It was first described in 2019 and it is closely related to Myrciaria glomerata.[2]

Myrciaria alta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Myrciaria
Species:
M. alta
Binomial name
Myrciaria alta
T.B.Flores & Sobral

Description edit

Myrciaria alta is similar in form, structure and appearance to Myrciaria glomerata and Myrciaria strigipes but can reach a much greater height, between 12 and 17 metres tall. The leaves are 60-93 mm long, and it produces flowers, and 20-30mm fruits, on its older woody branches.[2]

Distribution edit

Myrciaria alta is endemic to the montane region of Santa Teresa, Espírito Santo in Brazil, at elevations of around 850m.[2]

Etymology edit

The species name comes from the Latin altum, meaning high, and referring to its maximum height compared with Myrciaria glomerata.[2]

Conservation status edit

Myrciaria alta is only known from three samples. Its extent of occurrence is 0.281 square kilometres and its habitat is threatened by urban development. The species may be critically endangered.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ "Myrciaria alta T.B.Flores & Sobral". Plants of the World Online. Kew Science. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Bevilacqua Flores, Thiago; Sobral, Marcos; Sampaio Valdemarin, Karinne; Souza, Vinicius (2019). "Myrciaria alta (Myrtaceae), a new species from Espírito Santo, Brazil". Phytotaxa. 414. doi:10.11646/PHYTOTAXA.414.4.5. S2CID 202029122.