Abstract
Apocynaceae comprises a group of lactescent plants and is represented by approximately 5,000 species and 400 genera, with pantropical distribution. In Brazil, it is estimated about 77 genera and 754 species. The Atlantic Forest harbors the most of species of the family. Floristic studies in the northern region of São Francisco River are still scarce, limited to general floristic checklists. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to produce the taxonomic treatment of the species of Apocynaceae of the forests fragments of Usina São José, in the city of Igarassu, Pernambuco. For this study we conducted field work between 2015 and 2016 and we analyzed vouchers deposited in important herbaria from the Brazilian region of Northeast. We found 17 species and 11 genera: Aspidosperma discolor, A. spruceanum, Blepharodon pictum, Ditassa hispida, Hancornia speciosa, Himatanthus bracteatus, Mandevilla hirsuta, M. moricandiana, M. scabra, Matelea ganglinosa, M. orthosioides, Odontadenia lutea, Rauvolfia grandiflora, R. ligustrina, Tabernaemontana flavicans, T. salzmannii and Temnadenia odorifera. The study follows with identification key, relevant comments about the species and illustrations.
Key words:
Atlantic Forest; lactescent plants; Northeast region; São Francisco river; taxonomy
