Eugenia magnicarpa, a new species with one of the largest fruits of Eugenia, from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

A new species, Eugenia magnicarpa Valdemarin & J.D.O.Melo, is described from the coastal region of Bahia, Brazil. Molecular and morphological analyses confirm its placement within Eugenia sect. Umbellatae O.Berg. It is distinguished by its exceptionally large, glabrous fruits (65 – 88 × 70 – 93.5 mm), among the largest in the section and the genus. The species is characterised by leaf blades that are whitish on the abaxial surface, inflorescences on leafless nodes or on the trunk, glabrous flowers with sepals exceeding 4.5 mm in length, pedicels up to 4 mm long and the large, glabrous fruits with a rugose surface containing a single seed. The presence of large fruits within E. sect. Umbellatae is identified as a homoplastic trait and this discovery enhances the understanding of morphological and ecological diversity within Eugenia, particularly regarding fruit traits that influence frugivore interactions and seed dispersal. We also provide illustrations, a conservation assessment following IUCN criteria, distribution and phenology data and a fruit size dataset for all E. sect. Umbellatae species from the Atlantic Forest.