Abstract
Abstract This study provides descriptions, identification key and illustrations of diagnostic characters, as well as comments on the distribution and habitat of species of Olacaceae and Schoepficeae occurring in the eastern portion of northeastern Brazil, this area includes the states of Alagoas, Ceará, Paraíba, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte. The morphological descriptions are based on samples collected during field expeditions (2017-2019) and analysis of herbarium specimens. Were recorded five species in four genera belonging to the family Olacaceae (Cathedra rubricaulis, Dulacia gardneriana, Heisteria ovata, H. perianthomega and Ximenia americana) and one of Schoepfiaceae (Schoepfia brasiliensis), these species occur mainly in Atlantic Forest domain (Lowland and Montane Forests) are also registered in Caatinga and Cerrado domains. The distribution of D. gardneriana and H. perianthomega was expanded, to the states of Rio Grande do Norte and Paraíba, respectively. The main vegetative characters useful for specific delimitation are presence/absence of armed branches, petiole dorso-ventrally flattened or cylindrical and nerves impressed or flat on the adaxial surface. The presence/absence of staminodes, of a pubescent ovary and hypogynous disc, as well as floral pedicel size and diameter of accrescent calyx in fruits, are the most important reproductive characters for species determination.
Highlights
Based on molecular data, the phylogenetic relationship among the genera of Olacaceae s.l. has been changed (Malécot & Nickrent 2008)
Study area The eastern portion of northeastern Brazil includes the states of Alagoas, Ceará, Paraíba, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte (Lima et al 2002)
Cathedra rubricaulis, D. gardneriana and H. perianthomega are endemic to Brazil (BFG 2018)
Summary
The phylogenetic relationship among the genera of Olacaceae s.l. has been changed (Malécot & Nickrent 2008). In APG III (2009), Schoepfia Schreb, traditionally placed in Olacaceae, was recognized as a separate family, Schoepfiaceae, included in the order Santalales. Subsequent phylogenetic studies have indicated Olacaceae s.l. as polyphyletic group, from which about seven families could be recognized (Malecot & Nickrent 2008; Nickrent et al 2010). Olacaceae includes 29 genera and 170 species distributed mainly in the tropical region of Africa, Asia and America, growing especially in Lowland Forests (Heywood 1993; Christenhusz et al 2017). Schoepfiaceae comprises three genera and 58 species distributed in America and Asia (Nickrent et al 2010; Christenhusz et al 2017). The Neotropics are cited as the center of diversity for these families with around 50% of their genera and species occurring in this region (Sleumer 1984)
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