Distribución geográfica y diversidad morfológica de la especie Eugenia Involucrata DC. en Uruguay

Eugenia involucrata (Myrtaceae) is a woody species which naturally occurs in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Commonly known as ‘Cereza de monte’, ‘cerejeira do mato’ or ‘cerella,’ it is a plant with promising characteristics for use as an ornamental or domestic fruit tree, and with high potential for commercial plantations. Its fruits are dark red to violet berries with a persistent calyx, containing one to seven seeds. They have a sweet and pleasant flavor, making them attractive for fresh consumption and culinary preparations. The objective of this study was to gather information about E. involucrata available in national herbaria, identify the natural distribution of wild populations of E. involucrata in Uruguay and assess its phenotypic variability. Herbaria from MVFA, MVFC, MVFQ, MVJB and MVM were visited. Between October 2020 and November 2021, surveys were performed along the shores of the Cuareim River. During flowering, herbarium samples were collected from up to 22 plants per population to evaluate 31 morphological variables. In the fruiting stage, up to 30 fruits were collected per sampling point to assess 12 variables. Nine herbaria samples were found, seven coming from wild forests, without reproductive structures. Wild populations were confirmed in five out of the six explored sites in the Artigas department, mainly composed of more than 20 plants, along the Cuareim River and Tres Cruces Stream. Mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation were estimated, and multivariate analysis was performed to identify diversity within and among populations. Regarding vegetative variables, significant differences (ANOVA; p < 0.05) were found between populations only for petiole length. Among reproductive variables, significant differences were observed in sepal width, petal width, petal length-width ratio, stamen whorls number, and ovary diameter and height. Fruit variables showed significant differences in mass, height, diameter, fruit pulp proportion, and calyx length. In multivariate statistics, no significant differences were found. However, trends highlighted one population with characteristics related to larger fruit size, fewer seeds, and a higher fruit pulp proportion. This study provides the first assessment of morphological diversity in wild populations of E. involucrata in Uruguay. It confirms that the species reaches its southernmost distribution area in Uruguay. This highlights the importance of studying and conserving this native phytogenetic resource, whose external appearance and good taste promise favorable consumer acceptance.