SUMMARY
This study of 13 species and 3 varieties of the genera Vochysia, which occur in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, deals with taxonomy, foliar venation and epidermis, and pollen pain morphology.
The 14 taxa of this genus are redescribed and a key for their identification is included. Habitat localities are also reported, as well as phonological data, common names and uses. The text is accompanied by analytic drawings of habit, foliar venation, foliar epidermis and pollen morphology, along with maps of geographic distribution and photomicrographs of pollen grains.
The foliar venation is of the brochidodromous and mixed campto-brochidodromous patterns. The epidermis may be glabrous or hairy. The stomata are of the anisocytic and anomocytic types and are restricted to the lower epidermis. Sclereids of several types were found in the mesophyll of all species and varieties. Druse, acicular and cubic crystals were also observed.
The pollen morphology of all species studied showed the same grain form, as well as the same number and character of apertures; differences were observed in the exine structure and in the superficial pattern.
Concerning the geographical distribution of the taxa, it was verified that V. saldanhana Warm., V. glazioviana Warm, and V. rectiflora Warm. var. glabrescens Warm, occur only in Rio de Janeiro state, while the others have wider distributions. V. tucanorum Mart, occurs from Northeastern Brazil (Bahia) to Paraguay, including Southeastern, South and Central-Western Brazil.
Some speculations about taxa evolution were added.
The species V. laurifolia Warm, was re-established and in V. schwackeana the variety glabra Stafl. was placed in synonymy.