Taxonomia e Biologia Floral de Lorostemon Ducke (Clusiaceae) no Brasil

Abstract

Lorostemon Ducke is a Neotropical genus, belongs to the Symphonieae tribe (Clusiaceae) and brings together five tree species (L. bombaciflorum Ducke, L. coelhoi Paula, L. colombianum Maguire, L. negrense Fróes e L. stipitatus Maguire). The genus has simple leaves, opposite, White to yellowish exudate, stipules absent, terminal flowers solitary, bissexual, composed of 5-overlapping seepals and 5-petals, valved to contorted, has semifleshy capsule-type fruit, furrowed, indehiscent or dehiscent. Although some genera of Clusiaceae have been the subject of taxonomic studies in recente years, there are still genera that are neglected, especially those belonging to the tribe Symphonieae, such as the genus Lorostemon. The lack of studies related to the genus, the lack of collection of botanical material and the lack of photographic records make it difficult to recognize and understand these species in the field. Furthermore, the floral morphology of Lorostemon is unique when comparad to other genera of Clusiaceae and, assuming, there is no information on the floral biology of the genus. Therefore, it is necessary to update the circumscription of the species belonging to the genus, with the aim of to record new occurrences for the country and detect possiible new species given this context, with the purpose of contributing to the knowledge of the Brazillian flora and the conservation of species, the study aimed to propose the first taxonomic revision of the genus for Brazil, as well how to investigate floral biology and provide a physical-chemical profile of L. coelhoi fruits. The taxonomic treatment of the genus consists of morphological and morphoanatomical descriptions, photographic plates, habitat and conservation status. And floral biology consists of descriptions of floral patterns, such as period of flowering and fruting, anthesis, senescence, stigmatic receptivity, resourse offered, effective pollinator and insect plent interaction and photographic plates. The study culminated in a proposal for a synonym and theree lectotypifications, as well as the first record of L. stipitatus for Brazil, in addition to the Discovery of a new species for the Amazon and the first data regarding floral and reproductive biology for L. coelhoi and L. stipitatus, as well as the first infornation on the chemistry from L. coelhoi. Keywords: floral biology, Guttiferae, review, taxonomy.