“Bracatinga” (Mimosa scabrella Bentham), a multipurpose tree growing in Southern Brazil: chromosome number and genetic variation

Abstract

Mimosa scabrella Bentham, popularly known as “bracatinga” in Brazil, is a very important multipurpose tree especially in the southern region of the country, where it occurs naturally in plant associations called “bracatingais”. The species is presently in danger of losing genetic variability as it normally occurs in regions subjected to intense urbanization, industrialization, agriculture and cattle raising. Aiming at broadening the knowledge about the species we have investigated cytogenetic characteristics and genetic diversity among natural populations. The results show that all populations are tetraploid (2n = 4× = 52) and that there is a high genetic diversity among the populations. There is still time to avoid genetic erosion of M. scabrella if the areas where the species occurs are protected.