Expansion of the distribution of Pilostyles blanchetii (Gardner) R.Br. (Apodanthaceae (R.Br) Tiegh. ex Takht.), Piauí State, Brazil

ABSTRACT

The Caatinga is a biome recognized for species whose morphophysiological characteristics are adapted to high temperatures and water stress, presenting high species richness, providing a significant number of specific environments and endemic species, in different forms of life. Among the life forms of the Caatinga, there are parasites, including Pilostyles blanchetii, belonging to the Apodanthaceae family, which has species from the Fabaceae family as its host. Record of occurrence of Pilostyles blanchetii, until then, was limited to the states of Pará, Roraima, Bahia, Pernambuco, Goiás, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Paraná, and Santa Catarina. Collections in Caatinga area, Ipiranga do Piauí, Piauí State, collected specimens identified as Pilostyles blanchetii. Given this finding, the objective was to expand the distribution of Pilostyles blanchetii to the state of Piauí.

Keywords:
parasitic species; Flora of the Caatinga; rediscovery