&lt;b&gt;Flora of the State of Paraíba, Brazil: Loranthaceae Juss.

Gabriella Carla Leite De Vasconcelos,José Iranildo Miranda De Melo

doi:10.4025/actascibiolsci.v37i2.26246

<b>Flora of the State of Paraíba, Brazil: Loranthaceae Juss.

Gabriella Carla Leite De Vasconcelos, José Iranildo Miranda De Melo

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4025/actascibiolsci.v37i2.26246

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Abstract

The family Loranthaceae Juss., characterized by its parasitic habit, is rarely studied in Brazil. Current research provides a taxonomic survey of Loranthaceae in the State of Paraiba, northeastern Brazil, in which ten species belonging to four genera have been recorded: Passovia (one species), Psittacanthus (two species), Pusillanthus (one species) and Struthanthus (six species). Struthanthus concinnus Mart. was found for the first time in the state of Paraiba. A key to the species identification and taxonomic descriptions is presented, with images, geographic distribution and host data.

Highlights

Featuring more than 4000 parasite species among the angiosperms (NICKRENT et al, 1998), the order Santalales is included in the Loranthaceae group
It is mainly characterised as a hemiparasite with an economic importance associated to the damage it causes to plantations (CAZETTA; GALLETTI, 2003)
The order Santalales is represented by several species known in Brazil as “ervas-de-passarinho” and comprises 160 genera and approximately 2,200 species, currently comprising 18 families (NICKRENT et al, 2010)

Summary

Introduction

Featuring more than 4000 parasite species among the angiosperms (NICKRENT et al, 1998), the order Santalales is included in the Loranthaceae group. The order Santalales is represented by several species known in Brazil as “ervas-de-passarinho” (mistletoes) and comprises 160 genera and approximately 2,200 species, currently comprising 18 families (NICKRENT et al, 2010). Among these families, Loranthaceae presents worldwide importance due to its representativeness with cosmopolitan distribution (TAINTER, 2002). Current research presents a taxonomic survey of Loranthaceae for the state of Paraíba, Brazil, and aims to contribute towards in-depth knowledge on the richness and distribution of its genera and species in the region and on the flora of northeastern Brazil

Material and methods

Results and discussion

Conclusion