Untangling the tribe Coreopsideae (Asteraceae) beyond taxonomic concepts

Abstract

Abstract It is presented the first taxonomic study of the tribe Coreopsideae (Asteraceae) in Northeastern Brazil. A total of seven genera and 16 species were recorded in the region, with Bidens being the richest genus (8 spp.). Bidens tenera and Cosmos bipinnatus were recorded for the first time to the region, and Heterosperma ovatifolium represents the first record to Brazil. Bidens, Chrysanthellum, and Dahlia are taxonomically problematic that is reflected by several misidentifications found in the herbaria collections. Coreopsis, Cosmos, and Dahlia species are cultivated as ornamental but are scarcely represented in the herbaria. This study provides a checklist, an identification key to all species, in addition to discussing the importance of studying alien species for a better understanding of the Brazilian flora.

Keywords

• Alien plants
• Bidens
• Compositae
• herbarium records
• Northeast of Brazil