With the objective of recognizing vegetative helpfull characteristics in the Myrtaceae identification, we studied the leaf anatomy of 17 species of Eugenia, from the bank of Tibagi river, State of Paraná. Using leaf blade venation and, the pattern of the petiole vascular bundle sheaths we separated the species in three different groups. The camptodromous-brochidodromous venation pattern occur in nine species, the acrodromous pattern in four species, and a mixed pattern in four species. Depending on the species, the petiole vascular bundle sheaths can be of parenchymatous, sclerenchymatous or mixed nature. A dicotomic identification key was elaborated with these vegetative characters showing that they can surely aid in the Eugenia species identification.
Eugenia; leaf venation; Myrtaceae
