Abstract
Pontederiaceae is represented in Ceará state by 10 species, distributed in four genera: Eichhornia, Heteranthera, Hydrothrix and Pontederia. The genus Eichhornia was the most represented with five species: E. crassipes, E. diversifolia, E. heterosperma, E. paniculata and, for the first time cited to Ceará, E. paradoxa. The second genus in species number was Heteranthera, with three species: H. oblongifolia, H. rotunfdifolia and H. seubertiana. Hydrothrix and Pontederia are represented just by one species each: Hydrothrix gardneri and Pontederia parviflora. The species predominate in temporary aquatic environments; however, the submerged species (Heteranthera seubertiana and Hydrothix gardneri) are more common in perennial streams. Identification keys, species descriptions, maps of species distributions and illustrations are included.
Key words:
wetlands; hydrophytes; aquatic plants; arid regions
