Plants Collected in Paraguay. 105 



Myrcia GuaTira, Parodi, Cont. Flor. Par., iv, 142. 



Near Asuncion (838). 



A large fruit-bearing tree, found both wild and cultivated in 

 Paraguay. The bark is silvery, breaking into long glistening 

 fibres, at least on the young branches. Leaves opposite; sub-oppo- 

 site or the lovi^er alternate, glabrous, simple, entire, the margin 

 callous or, on the older leaves, eroded, transparent along the vena- 

 tion, and minutely punctate with translucent dots, broadly elliptical 

 or oval in outline, running into an acuminate point at the apex, 

 sloping at base, the largest blades 12 cm. long by t cm. wide; on 

 short, channelled petioles. The fruit is often sold in the Asuncion 

 markets and greatly esteemed. It is yellow, as large as a plum, 

 the flesh sweet and palatable, but slightly astringent, containing 

 from n to 8 small, flattish seeds, to which the gum-like pulp closely 

 adheres. The tree and the fruit are known popularly as the Guavira, 

 Fruit in October and November. The flowers I did not see. 



Myrcia ovata, Camb. in St. Hil. Fl. Bras. Merid., ii, 229 ? 



Pilcomayo River (894 a). = Balansa, 1305. 



A shrub 3-5 m. in height, with brownish bark and clean erect, 

 fuscous-downy branches. Flowers too young to make out. Leaves 

 numerous, coriaceous, downy on midnerve below, pellucid-punctate, 

 oval and pointed at both ends, opposite above and alternate below, 

 on very short downy petioles. In woods. 



Myrcia ramillosa, D. C, Prod., iii, 250. Ex descr. 



Pilcomayo River (90t a). February. 



A very branching shrub, with light-colored or brownish bark, 

 3-5 m. high. Young branches glabrous or minutely fuscous-pubes- 

 cent. Leaves oval or ovate, opposite, entire, glabrous, coriaceous, 

 obtusely acute at the apex, obtuse or somewhat acute at base, shin- 

 ing above, light green on both sides, pellucid-punctate, 2-4^ cm. 

 long, 1-2 cm. broad in the middle ; midrib prominent beneath and 

 the surface reticulate veiny ; petiole channelled, pubescent, 2-5 mm. 

 long. Flowers not seen. Panicles lateral or terminal, axillary, 2-4 

 cm. long, 3-1 fruited, the lowest pedicels 5-8 mm. long. Berries 

 when ripe red, t or 8 mm. in diameter, crowned with the calyx 

 which has 5 small, roundish ovate, often minutely ciliolate, reflexed 

 lobes, finally deciduous, leaving an orbicular operculum. The thin 

 pulp is dotted with minute tubercles and sweetish to the taste. 



