ABSTRACT
The genus Melochia belongs to the subfamily Byttnerioideae and comprises about 60 species distributed throughout the tropics. The New World is the main center of diversity of the genus with 39 species. Twenty one species occur in Brazil, of which four are endemic. The genus is characterized by the presence of a pentacarpellar gynoecium, each carpel 1-2-ovulate, and five apically papillose styles. Ten species are recorded for the Southeast region of Brazil: M. arenosa Benth., M. simplex A. St.-Hil., M. graminifolia A. St. Hil., M. villosa (Mill.) Fawc. & Rendle, M. regnellii (K. Schum.) Gonçalez, M. gardneri Sprague, M. pilosa (Mill.) Fawc. & Rendle, M. betonicifolia A. St.-Hil., M. morongii Britt. and M. pyramidata L. These species are distributed throughout all states of the Southeast region, mainly in Minas Gerais, in preserved and disturbed areas of Cerrado. This study includes morphological descriptions, unpublished illustrations, distribution maps, and designation of three lectotypes.
Keywords:
taxonomy; biodiversity; Cerrado; Atlantic Forest; lectotype
