Abstract
We present a floristic survey of Cleomaceae in Ceará state, as part of "Flora of Ceará" project. The study was based on morphological analysis of specimens deposited in EAC, HCDAL, HST, HUEFS, JPB, MOSS, R and UFRN herbaria, specialized bibliography, images of type collections, and field collections and observations. Five genera and ten species were recorded: Cleome (C. microcarpa), Gynandropsis (G. gynandra), Hemiscola (H. aculeata and H. diffusa), Physostemon (P. guianense, P. lanceolatum subsp. lanceolatum, P. rotundifolium and P. tenuifolium) and Tarenaya (T. spinosa and Tarenaya curvispina). Tarenaya curvispina is a new species, and Gynandropsis gynandra and Physostemon tenuifolium are new records to Ceará state. In Ceará, the species are associated with wet (ombrophyllous dense forest) and dry environments (semi-deciduous lowland forest, savanna and deciduous forest).
Key words:
Brassicales; diversity; herbaceous; Northeastern Brazil
