Flora of Ceará, Brazil: Heliconiaceae

Abstract

We present here a floristic study of the family Heliconiaceae in Ceará state, Northeast of Brazil, as part of the “Flora of Ceará: from knowledge to Conservation” project. The study was carried out based on morphological analysis of samples obtained in the field from August/2022 to June/2023, from specimens deposited in herbaria EAC, HCDAL, HUEFS, HVASF, IPA, PEUFR, R and RB herbaria, of images from type collections in the K, MO, NY and S herbaria and consultation of specialized bibliographies. In Ceará, Heliconiaceae is represented by four species: Heliconia episcopalis, H. pendula, H. psittacorum and H. spathocircinata. Most species occur in Seasonal Semideciduous Forest and Dense Ombrophilous Forest, mainly on the tops of the humid mountain ranges of Baturité, Maranguape and Pacatuba. Heliconia psittacorum has a wide distribution, also occurring in the Vegetation Complex of the Coastal Zone. The species were recorded in three Conservation Units in the state: Chapada of Araripe Environmental Protection Area, Ceará Botanical State Park and Ubajara National Park. We present an identification key, morphological descriptions, comments about the distribution, ecology, flowering and fruiting period, uses, maps and illustrations of the species.