Ochnaceae on São Luís Island, Maranhão, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract The family Ochnaceae belongs to Malpighiales and has about 550 species included in 34 genera, with pantropical distribution. For Brazil, 207 species are reported, 16 have been recorded in Maranhão state. On São Luís Island, a well sampled area in the state, there were records of two genera, Ouratea and Sauvagesia, and three species: O. fieldingiana, O. hexasperma, and S. erecta. To confirm the occurrence of these species and provide new data about the family in Maranhão, this study aimed to provide a complete taxonomic treatment of the Ochnaceae on São Luís Island, since the region still lacks taxonomic treatments of specific taxa. Field expeditions were carried out to collect plants, and specimens at MAR and SLUI, and on virtual herbaria, were analyzed. As a result, six species were identified, including five in Ouratea and one in Sauvagesia namely: O. cassinifolia, O. castaneifolia, O. cearensis, O. hexasperma and O. racemiformis, and S. erecta. Specimens that had been identified as O. fieldingiana were redetermined as O. castaneifolia. Ouratea cassinifolia, O. cearensis, and O. racemiformis are new records for the island.

Keywords

• Malpighiales
• new occurrences
• Ouratea
• Sauvagesia
• taxonomic treatment