Heteropterys is the second largest genus of Malpighiaceae, showing as sinapomorphy, schizocarpic fruits, each mericarp with a large dorsal wing with inferior margin thickened. According to the last revision of the genus, Heteropterys comprises two subgenus, four sections and six subsections. Recent studies pointed out the monophyletism of subsect. Stenophyllarion. The species of this group are vines distributed from southeastearn states of Brazil to Argentina, mostly in the Atlantic coastal forests. They are characterized by petioles with a pair of glands at the base, glabrous or glabrate leaves, and umbells with small short-peduncled flowers. Field work, anatomical studies and analysis of herbarium collections (including types) allowed us to recognize eight species: H. crenulata Mart. ex Griseb., H. fluminensis (Griseb.) W.R. Anderson, H. intermedia (A. Juss.) A. Juss., H. leschenaultiana A. Juss., H. microcarpa Skottsb., H. pauciflora (A. Juss.) A. Juss., H. wiedeana A. Juss., and H. brunnea Sebastiani & Mamede, a new species related to H. fluminensis. As a result of the revision of the subsection, 15 new synonyms are presented, 11 lectotypes and one neotype are designated, and H. microcarpa and H. wiedeana are reinstated. Key for species, descriptions, comments, illustrations, and distribution maps for all taxa are also presented.
Atlantic Forest; floristics; lectotypification; neotypification; new species
