Philippine Journal of Science
153 (5): 1535-1541, October 2024
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 22 Nov 2023
Notes on the Genus Psidium L. (Myrtaceae) in Java, Indonesia
Arifin Surya Dwipa Irsyam1,2*, Irfan Martiansyah3, Muhammad Rifqi Hariri4, Muhammad Hisyam Baidlowi2, Asih Perwita Dewi4, Peniwidiyanti5, Muhammad Hisyam Fadhil6, and Dian Rosleine1
1Herbarium Bandungense, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Sumedang, West Java 45363 Indonesia 2Botani Tropika Indonesia Foundation (BOTANIKA), Bogor, West Java 16117 Indonesia 3Research Center for Applied Botany, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor Km 46, Cibinong, West Java 16911 Indonesia 4Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor Km 46, Cibinong, West Java 16911 Indonesia 5Research Center for Ecology and Ethnobiology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor Km 46, Cibinong, West Java 16911 Indonesia 6Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, IPB University Bogor, West Java 16680 Indonesia
*Corresponding author: arifin@itb.ac.id
Irsyam ASD et al. 2024. Notes on the Genus Psidium L. (Myrtaceae) in Java, Indonesia. Philipp J Sci 153(5): 1535–1541.
ABSTRACT
Psidium is a genus of plants that is found in the neotropical region and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. Currently, there are 92 identified species in this genus. Earlier botanists documented that the genus in Java, Indonesia, is comprised solely of two species – specifically P. guajava L. and P. guineense Sw. However, during our 2023 botanical study, we discovered another Psidium species – P. cattleyanum Sabine – from West and East Java. It was first introduced to the island as a living specimen at the Bogor Botanic Gardens, Bogor, Indonesia, in 1972. Since then, the species has been intentionally planted for ornamental purposes by the Sundanese community. Psidium cattleyanum differs morphologically from other Psidium species in Java. It has coriaceous leaves with inconspicuous lateral veins, and its ripe fruit is red. Our findings increase the number of Psidium species in Java to three. Description, photographs, an updated key, and a brief discussion are given.
Keywords: alien, introduced, jambu, Java, Psidium cattleyanum