Myrcia costeira facts for kids

Myrcia costeira is a special kind of plant that belongs to the Myrtaceae family. This family includes many well-known plants like eucalyptus and guava. This plant is only found in the south and southeast parts of Brazil, making it an endemic species. Scientists first officially described it in 2015.

What's in a Name?

The name Myrcia costeira gives us a clue about where this plant lives! "Costeira" means "coastal" in Portuguese. This is because the plant grows in forests right along the coast.

What Does It Look Like?

The Myrcia costeira is a tree that can grow quite tall. It usually reaches between 2 and 12 metres high. That's like a small house or even a four-story building! Its leaves are fairly small. They grow up to 5.4 centimetres long and 2.7 centimetres wide.

When the tree produces fruit, they are a bright red colour. These round fruits are small, about 10 millimetres wide. Inside each fruit, you can find up to three tiny seeds.

Where Does It Grow?

This unique plant is found in the beautiful atlantic forests of Brazil. It grows in a specific area between the states of São Paulo (state) and Rio Grande do Sul. These coastal forests are very important for many different plants and animals.

Why Is It Important to Protect It?

Sadly, Myrcia costeira is considered a vulnerable species. This means it's at risk of disappearing. The biggest threat to this plant is something called urbanisation. This is when more and more towns and cities are built. As cities grow, the natural habitats of plants like Myrcia costeira are destroyed. Protecting these forests helps keep this special tree safe.