On the distribution of two species of Copaifera L. (Leguminosae) from the Brazilian Cerrado, and the first record of C. malmei Harms in São Paulo state, Brazil

Abstract

Copaifera L. is a pantropical genus with great diversity in the Cerrado. Fieldwork in western São Paulo revealed the first record of C. malmei Harms in this state, and this is only the second time that this species has been found in the Southeast Region of Brazil. Additional analyses of a related species, C. marginata Benth. revealed the same rare pattern of distribution in the region. We provide morphological descriptions, comments on geographical distribution, assessment of conservation status, phenology, and an identification key to the species of Copaifera in the Cerrado in southeastern Brazil.

Keywords

• Conservation
• copaiba
• Detarioideae