Pera Mutis is an endemic genus from the Neotropics, with about 30 species and diversity center located in the Amazon. These species are trees or shrubs, dioecious or rarely monoicous, having globose bracts that are sometimes confused with floral buds. The last revision of this genus was in 1919, and many species have been described since then. This work aims to carry out a taxonomic study of Pera species that occur in the Brazilian Amazon and discussing the position of genera as part of an autonomous taxon (Peraceae) or if a member of the Euphorbiaceae s.s. Thirteen species in the Brazilian Amazon were found: Pera anisotricha Müll. Arg., P. bicolor (Klotzsch) Müll. Arg., P. benensis Ruby, P. coccinea (Benth.) Müll. Arg., P. decipiens Müll. Arg., P. distichophylla (Mart.) Baill., P. eiteniorum Bigio & Secco, P. glabrata (Schott) Baill., P. heteranthera (Schranck) I. M. Johnst, Pera manausensis Bigio & Secco P. membranacea Leal, P. tomentosa (Benth.) Müll. Arg., P. pulchrifolia Ducke. From these species, three are new records for the Brazilian Amazon. Eight taxa were considered to be new synonyms and new lectotypes were designated. Data on the history of the genus, and on morphology and biology, as well as descriptions, identification keys, and illustrations of the species are presented.
Peraceae; Acalyphoideae; Amazonian flora
