Tephrosia (leguminosae) in the state of ceará, northeast of Brazil

Abstract

This study presents a floristic survey of Tephrosia occurring in the Ceará state, as part of “Flora of Ceará” project. The study was based on the comparative analysis of morphological characters of specimens deposited in herbaria EAC, ESA, HUEFS, IPA, MBM, MOSS, TEPB and UFRN, bibliography, photo-type material, along with collections and field observations. Five species of Tephrosia were recorded in the state: T. cinerea, T. domingensis, T. egregia, T. purpurea e T. sinapou. The species occur preferentially near the coast, in sandy and antropic soils, like seasonal semideciduous forest of the lowlands (coastal board) and vegetation with marine influence (restinga), with the exception of T. domingensis founded in mountain tops in ombrofilous dense forest (wet forest). Tephrosia sinapou is a new record for Ceará state. Most species are widely distributed and occur in four natural reserves in Ceará.