Five new species of Syzygium (Myrtaceae) from Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Following ongoing ecological research on the tree diversity of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, we describe five new species of Syzygium. These are the first descriptions of Syzygium species from the island since Blume (1850, Jambosa celebica and J. cornifolia), highlighting the significant lack of taxonomic research on the genus for the region. The five species proposed as new are Syzygium balgooyi sp. nov., Syzygium contiguum sp. nov., Syzygium devogelii sp. nov., Syzygium eymae sp. nov., and Syzygium galanthum sp. nov. All species are illustrated and information on their distribution, ecology, and conservation status is given.

Syzygium Tinombalum (Myrtaceae), a New Species From Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

“…Morphological observation of several sterile specimens in BO collected by Brambach et al 0176,0206,0283,0319,0332,0466 & Culmsee 125, were firstly identified by Brambach et al (2017) as Syzygium balgooyi, indicate that its do not seem to get into the species. Small tree up to 7 m tall.…”

“…After viewing the specimens and also studying the publication of Brambach et al (2017), Schumann & Hollrung (1889) and Haron et al (1995) it appears that from the leaf morphology, the species is easier to distinguish from S. balgooyi and S. schumannianum especially in petiole, leaf base, leaf shape and size, also intramarginal nerve. While the latter two species are rather difficult to distinguish.…”

“…Inflorescence: the number of flowers in one inflorescence in the three species is different. In the new species up to 30 flowers, S. balgooyi up to 15 flowers (Brambach et al, 2017) and S. schumannianum up to seven flowers (Schumann & Hollrung, 1889). Flower: the hypanthium of the new species and S. balgooyi are slightly shorter than S. schumannianum; but the surface of the three species is very different.…”

“…Flower: the hypanthium of the new species and S. balgooyi are slightly shorter than S. schumannianum; but the surface of the three species is very different. The surface of the new species and S. schumannianum are striate, but S. schumannianum obviously striate (Haron et al, 1995), while the surface of S. balgooyi is smooth (Brambach et al, 2017). Stamens: the new species have up to 188 stamens, S. balgooyi has ca.…”

“…Therefore, there is still a possibility that new taxa will be discovered. Brambach et al (2017) have discovered five new species from Sulawesi, among others S. balgooyi, S. contiguum, S. devogelii, S. eymae and S. galanthum. From 2013 to 2017, morphological observations of the living collection of Myrtaceae in Bogor Botanic Gardens have been carried out. Sari et al (2010) have reported that about 40 species of Syzygium (Myrtaceae) have been collected and planted in the Bogor Botanic Gardens, but many of them have not been identified yet.…”