MYRTACEAE IN VENEZUELA: DIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND ETHNO-BOTANICAL ASPECTS

Abstract

The first reports of Europeans arriving to what is now known as Venezuela, clearly show the importance indigenous inhabitants of the country gave to fruit cultivation and consumption, including guava (Psidium guajava) as well as other Myrtaceae still popular among Venezuelans. Guava is one of the most important fruits produced in the country, which is consumed as a fresh produce, or as juice, jelly and other processed goods. Other popular Myrtaceae fruits derive from species of the genus Psidium, Eugenia and Syzygium. Only guava occurs across the country; others, like cinaro (Calycolpus moritzianus), are restricted to the Venezuelan and Colombian Andes, while 'pomarosa' (S. jambros) and 'pomagas' (S. malaccense), both of them introduced from Asia, are preferred and well represented in lower, warmer areas. In the central cordillera, an exclusive species of edible fruits has also been described (E. mcvaughii), which during a time was considered to be exclusive to the vicinity of Caracas. Among other introduced Myrtaceae of edible fruits we can also find E. agregata, E. brasiliensis, E. luschnathiana and E. stipitata. However, the region with the highest diversity of neotropical and endemic Myrtaceae is located south to the Orinoco River. Nonetheless, a comprehensive and systematic effort to catalogue and analyze Myrtaceae from Venezuela still needs to be accomplished, particularly in the Andes. From the ethnobotanical point of view, guava has been credited to have properties as antidiarrheic and disinfectant, but it is also used for gum inflammation relief and blood pressure control. Other uses of P. guajava and C. moritzianus include its use for live fences, craftsmanship, and for diverse desserts and beverages. For respiratory ailments the most used (introduced) Myrtaceae are Eucalyptus and bayrum (Pimenta racemosa), as analgesic S. aromaticum (clover) and S. jambos, and as diuretic P. guineense.