Flora do Ceará, Brasil: Polygonaceae

Abstract

Polygonaceae has wide distribution in Brazil and was recorded in different phytogeographic domains. The members of this family are known for their simple, alternate and entire leaves, stems and branches with well-delimited nodes and internodes, and fused stipules (ochrea), which sheathe the whole stem. This study aimed carry out the floristic inventory and update the geographical distribution of Polygonaceae species that occur in Ceará state. Herbarium collections and samples collected at field expeditions between March/2012 and May/2015 were used to morphological analysis, descriptions and preparation of distribution maps. The identifications were based on collections-Types and specialized literature. In Ceará state, 13 species and four genera were registered. Coccoloba (6) is the most representative genus on species number, followed by Polygonum (5), Ruprechtia (1), and Triplaris (1). These species occur predominantly at drier environments, such as seasonal deciduous forest (mata seca), and stepic savannah (caatinga). This family is an important component of flora of Ceará, where were registered 44% of the genera and 13.68% of the species cited for Brazil. Coccoloba parimensis, Polygonum acuminatum e Ruprechtia laxiflora are new records for the Ceará state.