This study comprises a survey of the family Turneraceae in the Rio Grande do Norte State, Northeastern Brazil. Two genera and 13 species were registered: Piriqueta Aubl., with four species (P. duarteana (A. St.-Hil., A. Juss. & Cambess.) Urb., P. guianensis N.E.Br., P. racemosa (Jacq.) Sweet and P. viscosa Griseb.), and Turnera, with nine species (T. blanchetiana Urb., T. calyptrocarpa Urb., T. cearensis Urb., T. chamaedrifolia Cambess., T. diffusa Willd. ex Schult., T. melochioides A. St.-Hil. & Cambess., T. pumilea L., T. scabra Millsp. and T. subulata Sm.). Keys to genera and species, descriptions and ilustrations, and comments about taxonomy and biogeography of the species are presented.
Caatinga vegetation; Piriqueta; taxonomy; Turnera; Rio Grande do Norte state
