Guayabacon (Myrcia amazonica, Prodr. 3: 250 1828)

Family: Myrtaceae

Author: DC.

Bibliography: Prodr. 3: 250 1828

Year: 1828

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Myrcia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. America

Description

Guayabacon, known scientifically as Myrcia amazonica, is a remarkable plant that thrives in the lush tropical regions of America. This plant belongs to the Myrtaceae family, a group known for its diverse and aromatic species. The Myrtaceae family includes several significant agricultural and ecological species, many of which are prized for their fruits, wood, and essential oils.

Myrcia amazonica was first formally described by the esteemed botanist Augustin Pyramus de Candolle in his seminal work Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis, volume 3, on page 250, published in 1828. De Candolle, often abbreviated as DC., made significant contributions to botanical nomenclature and classification, and his description has been a touchstone for subsequent research on this species.

The Guayabacon plant is predominantly found across tropical America, thriving in the humid, warm climates that characterize this region. It plays an essential role in the local ecosystems, contributing to the rich biodiversity of these areas. The plant is well adapted to the tropical climate and can often be found in rainforests where it forms part of the dense understorey.

The genus Myrcia encompasses a variety of species known for their medicinal and ecological importance. Guayabacon, like its relatives, may have both cultural and practical uses among indigenous peoples and local communities within its native range. While specific details about its uses and ecological roles are not extensively documented in this summary, plants in the Myrtaceae family are generally valued for their culinary, medicinal, and ornamental properties.

In conclusion, Myrcia amazonica, commonly referred to as Guayabacon, is a notable member of the Myrtaceae family with a rich botanical history and significant presence in tropical American habitats. Its initial classification by DC. remains a critical reference point for botanists studying this diverse and ecologically important genus.

Common Names

Por: araçá
En: Guayabacon
Pt: Araçá

Synonyms

• Aulomyrcia hostmanniana var. gracilior (O.Berg)
• Myrcia leptoclada (DC.)
• Myrcia detergens (Miq.)
• Aulomyrcia hostmanniana var. robustior (O.Berg)
• Myrcia sprucei (Mattos)
• Myrcia hostmanniana var. robustior (Kiaersk.)
• Myrcia gentlei (Lundell)
• Aulomyrcia maraguana ((DC.) O.Berg)
• Myrcia hostmanniana ((O.Berg) Kiaersk.)
• Aulomyrcia amazonica ((DC.) O.Berg)
• Gomidesia minutiflora (Mattos & D.Legrand)
• Aulomyrcia spruceana (O.Berg)
• Aulomyrcia corymbosa ((DC.) O.Berg)
• Myrcia leptoclada var. glazioviana (Kiaersk.)
• Myrcia corymbosa (DC.)
• Myrcia oitchi (O.Berg)
• Aulomyrcia detergens var. dives (O.Berg)
• Aulomyrcia detergens var. depauperata (O.Berg)
• Aulomyrcia paraensis (O.Berg)
• Aulomyrcia hostmanniana (O.Berg)
• Aulomyrcia leptoclada ((DC.) O.Berg)
• Myrcia minoriflora (Mattos)
• Myrcia maraguana (DC.)
• Aulomyrcia detergens ((Miq.) O.Berg)
• Aulomyrcia vautheriana (O.Berg)
• Myrcia laurifolia (Cambess.)
• Myrcia lundiana (Kiaersk.)
• Myrcia sagotii (Mattos)
• Myrcia paraensis ((O.Berg) Kiaersk.)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)

Additional Images

Bark

Taken Mar 13, 2013 by J.-L. Smock (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2013 by D. Frame (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2013 by D. Frame (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2013 by D. Frame (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2013 by D. Frame (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 13, 2006 by Jean-François Molino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 13, 2006 by Jean-François Molino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 13, 2006 by Jean-François Molino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2013 by J.-L. Smock (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2013 by J.-L. Smock (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 4, 2014 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2013 by D. Frame (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2013 by J.-L. Smock (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2013 by J.-L. Smock (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2013 by D. Frame (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3175173)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:598598-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Myrcia amazonica DC.)

Specifications

Growth