Synopsis of Lueheopsis Burret (Malvaceae, Grewioideae) in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

ABSTRACT Lueheopsis (Malvaceae, Grewioideae) is an important component of the Neotropical flora, but taxonomic knowledge of its species is limited, particularly within the Amazon region. Lueheopsis consists of seven species distributed in the Neotropics, with a center of diversity in the Brazilian Amazon, where the genus is represented by six species: L. althaeiflora, L. burretiana, L. duckeana, L. hoehnei, L. rosea, and L.schultesii. Lueheopsis duckeana and L. rosea are the most common and widely distributed in the Amazon region. An updated synopsis on Lueheopsis in the Brazilian Amazon is proposed based on material deposited in 24 Brazilian and foreign herbaria. New occurrences were recorded in Maranhão state (L. burretiana) and Amapá state (L. schultesii). We present not yet published illustrations of morphological characters, evidenced in the accompanying identification key, as well as descriptions, additional data on geographical distribution, and comments on interspecific affinities.

Keywords

• Amazon rainforest
• Malvales
• rosids
• taxonomy
• Tiliaceae