O gênero Cnidoscolus Pohl (Crotonoideae-Euphorbiaceae) no Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil

Abstract

Eight species of Cnidoscolus were recorded in the state: C. bahianus (Ule) Pax & K. Hoffm., C. loefgrenii (Pax & K. Hoffm.) Pax & K. Hoffm., C. obtusifolius Pohl, C. oligandrus (Müll. Arg.) Pax, C. quercifolius Pohl, C. urens (L.) Arthur, C. urnigerus (Pax) Pax and C. vitifolius (Mill.) Pohl. These were recognized mainly by leaf shape, type of stinging hairs on the branches, presence and morphology of petiole glands, union and shape of the perianth, and stamen arrangement. Cnidoscolus urens was found in all phytogeographical zones, C. loefgrenii in "Zona da Mata" (Moist Forest Zone) and "Zona das Caatingas" (Savannah Steppe Zone), C. quercifolius, C. obtusifolius, C. vitifolius, C. bahianus and C. urnigerus were only recorded in "Zona das Caatingas", while C. oligandrus was shown to be exclusive to "Zona da Mata".