Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

190, Hoja menuda, spiceberry eugenia
One of several known as hoja menuda, this
species of dry areas of southwesteni Puerto Rico
is recognized by the small ovate drooping leaves
nearly in the shape of a diamond (rhomb), as the
scientific name indicates. Other distinguishing
characters are : (1) opposite leaves 134-2 inches
long and Y8-l% inches broad, bluntly long-pointed
at apex and short-pointed at base, lateral veins
inconspicuous, and with many gland clots includ-
in black dots on lower surface; (2) few to several
wfite flowers with 4 petals, 1/2 inch across the
spreading stamens, in lateral clusters at leaf bases
or back of leaves; and (3) rounded red to black
berries 3/g-S/g inch in diameter, broader than long,
with sepals at apex.
A small erect evergreen tree 20-25 feet high with
trunk 2-8 inches in diameter, or shrubby. The
brownish-gray bark is smooth, peeling off in flakes.
Inner bark is light brown and slightly bitter. The
slender whitish-gray twig are often drooping.
The petioles are brown yellow, or reddish tinged,
1/8-% inch long. Blades are slightly thickened,
leathery, and stlff, not toothed on edges, dull dark
green above and yellow green beneath.
The flower cluster (umbel) \vithout a main stalk
is composed of flowers on slender spreading stalks
l/q-Y8 inch long. The flower has n short basal tube
MYRTLE FAMILY (MYRTACEAE)
Eugenia rlrornbea (Berg) Krug & Urban
(hypanthium) enclosing the inferior ovary, 4
rounded sepals less than l/s inch long, 4 whib
rounded petals 3/la inch long, many spreading
stamens, and style. The fleshy 1-seeded fruits
change color from red to black as they ripen. Recorded
with flowers in July and with fruits in
January and July.
The light brown wood is very hard and liea
K
.
Because of the small dimensions, it is used chie y
for posts, stakes, and fuel. The wood is not durable
in the ground.
In cutover dry forests and thickets in the dry
limestone region of southwestern Puerto Rico.
Also in Desecheo, Mona, Muertos, St. Croix, St.
Thomas, and St. John.
PURUC FORES~'.-GU~I~~C~,
R,\~c~.-Lo\ver Florida Keys, Bahamas, Cuba,
Jamaica, His aniola, Puerto llico and Virgin
Islands, and esser Ant.illes from St. Martin to
Guadeloupe. E
OTHER CO~\IMON ~~31~s.--payabilla de costa
(Puerto Rico) ; armyrin (Dominican Republic) ;
mije, guairaje (Cuba) ; spiceberry eugenia, red
stop er, stopper (United States
(BaRanms).; mdwood
lnyrto (Ha~ti) ; merisier (St.
sier rouge (Guadeloupe) .