Malvoideae Burnett (Malvaceae) in the Environmental Protection Area Serra Branca, Raso da Catarina, Jeremoabo, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract Malvoideae is the largest subfamily of Malvaceae, including 110 genera and 1,730 species distributed predominantly in tropical regions, with a few representatives in temperate regions. In Brazil, the subfamily occurs throughout the country and all phytogeographic domains. The floristic survey of Malvoideae in the Environmental Protection Area Serra Branca included analysis of 43 specimens collected from August 2011 to February 2013. The analysis were supplemented with dried collections from the following herbaria: ALCB, HUEFS and MAC. Six genera and sixteen species were recorded. Sida L. was the most representative genus with five species [S. angustissima A.St.-Hil., S. castanocarpa Krapov., S. cordifolia L., S. galheirensis Ulbr., S. linifolia Cav. and S. spinosa L.], followed by Pavonia Cav. with three species [P. blanchetiana Miq., P. cancellata (L.) Cav. and P. glazioviana Gürke], Sidastrum Baker with three species [S. micranthum (A.St.-Hil.) Fryxell, S. multiflorum (Jacq.) Fryxell and S. paniculatum (L.) Fryxell] and Herissantia Medik. with two species [H. crispa (L.) Brizicky and H. tiubae (K.Schum .) Brizicky]. The remainging genera were represented by one species each: Pseudabutilon virgatum (Cav.) Fryxell and Malvastrum tomentosum (L.) S.R.Hill. The majority of the species recorded in the area have a Neotropical distribution, and six species are endemic to Brazil, among which the species Herissantia tiubae, Sida galheirensis, Pavonia blanchetiana and Pavonia glazioviana are endemic to the Northeast Region, the latter two species occurring exclusively in the Caatinga biome. The taxonomic treatment includes a key for the identification, descriptions, illustrations, photos, data of the geographical distribution, economic potential and reproductive phenology and comments about the species.