the genus rhynchosia lour. (leguminosae, papilionoideae) in Mato Grosso do sul state, Brazil

Abstract

Rhynchosia Lour. is a pantropical genus with 230 species, mainly distributed in the neotropics considered the center of diversity of the group. It is philogenetically related to the genus Eriosema (DC.) Rchb., from which it differs mainly through morphological characters. In Mato Grosso do Sul it is represented by eight taxa: Rhynchosia balansae Micheli var. balansae, R. balansae var. psilantha Fortunato, R. clausseni Benth., R. corylifolia Mart. ex Benth., R. edulis Griseb., R. leucophylla Benth., R. melanocarpa Grear and R. minima (L.) DC. The current study presents identification key, descriptions, comments, illustrations, data on geographic distribution and habitat preference of each taxon.