AbstractThe bark of the tree speciesMyrcia eximiaDC., which occurs in secondary forests in the Brazilian Amazon, is described for the first time. The aim was to provide a broad knowledge of its composition, to add value, and to direct uses to the bark of this species based on its polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity. The bark is formed by conducting phloem, nonconducting phloem, and rhytidome. In addition, dead phloem occurs between the periderms. The average chemical composition of the bark was 45.6% total extractives, 1.4% suberin, 1.7% ash, and 21.1% lignin. The ethanol-water extract had a high content of flavonoids and condensed tannins [300.8 and 877.3 mg catechin equivalents (CE) g⁻¹of the extract, respectively]. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify the presence of rutin, quercetin, and gallic, ferulic, and o-coumaric acids. The bark extract showed strong 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, which was superior to that of the commercial antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), with an IC₅₀of 85.2 μg mL⁻¹. Based on these results, it is evident that the bark ofM. eximiafrom the Brazilian Amazon rainforest is a new and potential natural source of phenolic compounds and antioxidants, and its extracts can be used in the food and pharmaceutical industry and in various condensed tannin-based products.