Flora of Ceará, Brazil: Talinaceae

Abstract

The aim of this study was to conduct a floristic inventory and update the geographical distribution of Talinaceae species in Ceará state, in the Northeast Region of Brazil. The study was based on a comparative analysis of morphological characters of specimens deposited in the EAC, ESA, HCDAL, HUEFS, HUVA, HVASF, MOSS and RB herbaria, specialized literature, photos of type collections, and field expeditions conducted between March 2015 and April 2022. For the state, Talinum fruticosum and T. paniculatum have been recorded, which prefer drier vegetations, such as Stepic Savanna (Caatinga and Carrasco) and Semideciduous Seasonal Forest (Mata Seca), but also grow in areas that are more humid. The species occur in eight conservation units in Ceará: Dunas da Lagoinha and Serra de Meruoca Environmental Protection Areas, Aiuaba Ecological Station, Sobral National Forest, Ubajara National Park, Pedra da Andorinha Wildlife Refuge, Serra das Almas and Fazenda Trussú Private Natural Heritage Reserves. An identification key, descriptions, photographs, and comments about the geographical distribution, taxonomic relationships, and phenology are provided for the species.