Eugenia haematocarpa

Eugenia haematocarpa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Eudicots
Clade:Rosids
Order:Myrtales
Family:Myrtaceae
Genus:Eugenia
Species: E. haematocarpa
Binomial name
Eugenia haematocarpa
Alain

Eugenia haematocarpa is a rare species of plant in the Myrtaceae family. It is endemic to Puerto Rico. It is federally listed as an endangered species of the United States. Its common names include uvillo and Luquillo Mountain stopper.

Specimens of this tree were first collected in 1939 in Naguabo.[2] It is known from the Caribbean National Forest and the Sierra de Cayey on the eastern side of the island of Puerto Rico.

It has been observed growing amongst Syzygium jambos, Prestoea montana, Tabebuia heterophylla, Ocotea leucoxylon, Inga laurina, and Alchornea latifolia in mountain forest habitat.[2] The main cause of the tree's rarity is habitat destruction.[3]

This is an evergreen tree growing up to 6 meters tall with gray or whitish bark that strips away in plates. The leathery oval leaves are up to 18 centimeters long and are borne in pairs. Flowers occur in clusters on the trunk and each has four pink petals just over 2 centimeters long. The fruit is a dark red berry between 2 and 3 centimeters in length.[3]

References

  1. ↑ World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. Eugenia haematocarpa. 2010 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded 22 March 2011.
  2. 1 2 Pascarella, J. B. (2000). A new record for the rare and endangered tree Eugenia haematocarpa Alain (Myrtaceae) in The Sierra de Cayey Mountains, Puerto Rico. Caribbean Journal of Science 36 1-2 146.
  3. 1 2 USFWS. Recovery Plan for Pleodendron macranthum and Eugenia haematocarpa. September 1998.


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