Taxonomic revision of dalea (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae) in Colombia

Abstract

Dalea is the sole genus of the tribe Amorpheae (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae) present in Colombia. The genus comprises about 175 species, five of which grow in dry forests and thickets of the country. Here, we present the taxonomic treatment of Dalea for the flora of Colombia, based on herbarium, field, and laboratory work. We include a key to identify the species, followed by descriptions and comments on the habitat and geographical distribution for all the species. Additionally, the diagnostic characters of D. cuatrecasasii are revisited, and a neotype for D. coerulea is designated.