Blackrodwood (Eugenia biflora, Prodr. 3: 276 1828)

Family: Myrtaceae

Author: DC.

Bibliography: Prodr. 3: 276 1828

Year: 1828

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Eugenia

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Mexico to Trop. America

Description

Blackrodwood, known scientifically as Eugenia biflora, is a noteworthy member of the Myrtaceae family. First described in 1828 by DC. in his work “Prodr.”, this plant has established itself across a wide geographical region ranging from southeastern Mexico to tropical America.

Eugenia biflora embodies the characteristic resilience and adaptability of plants within the Myrtaceae family, thriving in a variety of tropical climates. This plant can often be found flourishing in dense tropical forests where it plays a significant role in the local ecosystem. Its presence is notable for contributing to the biodiversity of these regions, supporting native wildlife through fruit production and offering ecological benefits such as soil stabilization and microhabitat formation.

The Blackrodwood is not only appreciated for its ecological importance but also for its potential uses in horticulture and traditional medicine. The plant’s structure and aesthetic appeal, featuring lush green foliage and attractive fruits, make it a candidate for ornamental planting in suitable climates. Local communities in its native range sometimes exploit the fruits and other parts of the plant for various medicinal and practical purposes, taking advantage of its properties that have been passed down through generations.

In summary, Eugenia biflora, commonly known as Blackrodwood, is a significant botanical species with a broad habitat range across southeastern Mexico to tropical America. It enriches its native environments ecologically and culturally, displaying the diverse utility characteristic of the Myrtaceae family.

Common Names

Spa: arallan, arrayán, guayabillo, hoja menuda
Eng: blackrodwood
Por: vassourinha
En: Blackrodwood
Pt: Vassourinha
Es: Arallan, Arrayán, Guayabillo, Hoja menuda

Synonyms

• Myrcia thomasiana (DC.)
• Eugenia acuminatissima (O.Berg)
• Eugenia australis (Colla)
• Eugenia racemosa (DC.)
• Eugenia biflora var. mini ((Aubl.) Amshoff)
• Eugenia loretensis (Diels)
• Eugenia brachythrix (Urb.)
• Eugenia hoffmannseggii (O.Berg)
• Eugenia xylopifolia var. brevipes (O.Berg)
• Eugenia pallens ((Vahl) DC.)
• Eugenia biflora var. virgultosa ((Sw.) Krug & Urb.)
• Eugenia biflora var. myriostigma ((Sagot) Amshoff)
• Eugenia freireana var. latifolia (O.Berg)
• Eugenia jamaicana (Mattos)
• Eugenia microcarpos (Lam.)
• Myrcia splendens var. mini ((Aubl.) DC.)
• Caryophyllus fruticosus (Mill.)
• Eugenia jamaicensis (O.Berg)
• Eugenia inundata var. acutifolia (O.Berg)
• Eugenia hoffmannseggii var. grandifolia (O.Berg)
• Myrtus lancea ((Poir.) Spreng.)
• Eugenia amanuensis (Steyerm.)
• Eugenia berteroana ((Spreng.) DC.)
• Eugenia caurensis (Steyerm.)
• Eugenia biflora var. hoffmannseggii ((O.Berg) Amshoff)
• Eugenia freireana var. angustifolia (O.Berg)
• Eugenia myriostigma (Sagot)
• Eugenia modesta var. jamaicensis (O.Berg)
• Myrtus biflora var. yapacani (Kuntze)
• Eugenia microcarpos var. mini ((Aubl.) Lam.)
• Eugenia meyeriana var. depauperata (O.Berg)
• Myrtus biflora f. subsericea (Kuntze)
• Eugenia xylopifolia (DC.)
• Myrtus berteroana (Spreng.)
• Myrtus mini ((Aubl.) Spreng.)
• Myrtus virgultosa (Sw.)
• Eugenia freireana (O.Berg)
• Myrcia mini ((Aubl.) Sweet)
• Eugenia alexandri (Krug & Urb.)
• Eugenia biflora var. ludibunda ((Bertero ex DC.) Krug & Urb.)
• Eugenia sericiflora (Benth.)
• Eugenia biflora var. pallens ((Vahl) Krug & Urb.)
• Eugenia mini var. microcarpos ((Lam.) Pers.)
• Myrcia erythroxylon var. virescens (O.Berg)
• Eugenia mini (Aubl.)
• Eugenia hartii (Kiaersk.)
• Eugenia hoffmannseggii var. parvifolia (O.Berg)
• Eugenia meyeriana (O.Berg)
• Eugenia leptophlebia (Diels)
• Eugenia fieldingii (O.Berg)
• Myrtus biflora var. salicifolia (Kuntze)
• Eugenia meyeriana var. dives (O.Berg)
• Eugenia virgultosa var. jamaicensis ((O.Berg) Proctor)
• Myrtus pallens (Vahl)
• Eugenia ludibunda (Bertero ex DC.)
• Myrtus biflora (L.)
• Myrcia schomburgkiana (O.Berg)
• Eugenia macarensis (O.Berg)
• Eugenia virgultosa ((Sw.) DC.)
• Eugenia biflora var. lancea ((Poir.) Krug & Urb.)
• Eugenia virgata (Macfad.)
• Eugenia nicholsii (Fawc. & Rendle)
• Eugenia alfaroana (Standl.)
• Eugenia richardiana (O.Berg)
• Cumetea mini ((Aubl.) Raf.)
• Eugenia acutiloba (DC.)
• Eugenia lancea (Poir.)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 3, 2014 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 3, 2014 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 3, 2014 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 3, 2014 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 3, 2014 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5417812)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:593768-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Eugenia biflora (L.) DC.)

Specifications

Growth