Flora da Serra da Arara: Rubiaceae juss.

Abstract

The Serra da Arara, , localized at Alto Sertão Paraibano, micro region of Cajazeiras, it is hosts a biodiversity never before investigated, although, intense human actions are threatening the permanence of life forms in this environment. Before this scenario, It was evidenced the predominance of representatives of the family Rubiaceae (fourth largest among the Angiosperms), corroborating thus, with scattering centers of its species, as described for the tropical regions. Therefore, in function of the absence of floristics information in the Serra da Arara, this work was developed, objectifying to conduct the study of Rubiaceae occurring in the area, thus contributing to the regional flora knowledge. From random collections, made between February /2015 to July /2016, It was produced photographic records, descriptions and an analytical key to species identification, indication of the geographical distribution and comments from táxons. The collected material was produced following the techniques of herborization contained in the specialized literature and deposited in Herbário JPB. The Analysis of morphological characters It was made in the Botany Laboratory, at Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, where the necessary equipment are available. Hitherto the moment, the family Rubiaceae It is incorporated in Serra da Arara, for 11 species and 7 generas, it being Borreria G. Mey., the most representative with three species [Borreria brownii (Rusby) Standl.; Borreria capitata (Ruiz & Pav.) DC. And Borreria scabiosoides Cham. & Schltdl.], Richardia L. and Tocoyena Aubl., with two [Richardia grandiflora (Cham. & Schltdl.) Steud; Richardia sp.; Tocoyena formosa (Cham. & Schltdl.) K. Schum. and Tocoyena sellowiana (Cham. & Schltdl.) K. Schum.], the others generas, Diodella, Oldenlandia, Spermacoce and Staelia, it has only one representative [Diodella apiculata (Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.) Delprete; Oldenlandia tenuis K. Schum.; Spermacoce tenuior L. and Staelia virgata (Link ex Roem. & Schult.) K. Schum.]. Are featured Borreria brownii, being new reference to the Sertão Paraibano, Spermacoce tenuior, possible new record for Brazil and Richardia sp., a likely new species to science. Consequently, the data obtained can be to support the expansion of future studies Rubiaceaethe, working the environment diversity of family, in addition to subsidise the development of programs and initiatives that search for preservation, conservation and maintenance of biological variety in the area.