ABSTRACT
The taxonomic treatment of the genus Casearia Jacq. in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is presented.The study is based on field work as well as on national and international herbarium collections. Descriptions, identification key, illustrations, geographic distribution, flowering and fruiting times, vernacular names and comments about each taxon are presented. Twelve species were recognized: Casearia arborea, C. commersoniana, C. decandra, C. lasiophylla, C. luetzelburgii, C. melliodora, C. obliqua, C. oblongifolia, C. pauciflora, C. selloana, C. sessiliflora, C. sylvestris. Furthermore, Casearia luetzelburgii and C. selloana are new records for Rio de Janeiro, while C. sessiliflora is endemic to the state. Casearia sylvestris var. lingua was treated as a synonym of Casearia sylvestris.
Keywords:
Floristics; Flacourtiaceae; Taxonomy; Salicaceae; Samydaceae