This study aimed to review the genus Ceratosanthes Adans. (Cucurbitaceae Juss.) in the Brazilian territory in order to better define the morphological delimitations as well as the geographical distribution and expand the studies on the palynology of the genus. The specimens studied were obtained from collections held at national and international herbaria, and scientific expeditions that occurred between 2010 and 2011. All material studied was adequately described and identified by comparison with type specimens and other properly identified collections. Based on this review of the genus, seven new synonyms are presented, resulting in five species for the Brazilian flora. This study indicates pollen grain shape as well as muri and columellae as elements of significant taxonomic value. Furthermore, an analytical key based on macromorphological characteristics, another key based on palynological studies, illustrations, distribution maps of specimens and electron micrographs of the pol...

Cuscuta is a genus of Convolvulaceae distributed worldwide and comprises about 200 species, of which 26 were reported to Brazil. They are characterized by being holoparasites, leafless, gamopetalous, bisexual and usually pentamerous flowers. Studies available for South American Cuscuta are mostly from late XIX and early XX centuries. The restriction of taxonomic bibliographies, together with the fact that taxonomic informative characters are restricted to their tiny flowers, make the species identification a challenge. In this context, this work aimed to study the diversity of Cuscuta for the northeast region of Brazil and allow species identification. Field works were carried out in all northeast region states and about 150 specimens from 17 herbarium collections were analyzed. A lectotypification is proposed for C. racemosa. Cuscuta orbiculata, cited to Mexico, Guatemala and Brazil (Goiás and northeast region), is synonymized under C. tinctoria. Eight species were recognized, occu...

In three dissertations entitled Plantarum Brasiliensium and presided by Carl Peter Thunberg, ten new species were treated in each of three parts by Johan Immanuel Billberg, Carl Gustav Ahlberg, and Carl Otto Holm, respectively, from collections made by Georg Wilhelm Freyreiss in his travel to Minas Gerais in 1814–1815. Eight of these species are currently accepted, but several have been overlooked by authors or remained unresolved until the present. Here we present the taxonomic status for all these names based on the analyses of the original specimens collected by Freyreiss, currently housed at UPS and elsewhere, pertinent literature available, and other herbarium collections. As a result, six new synonyms, one lectotypification and one new combination are proposed.

Background and aims – A supplement list to the “Catalogue of Brazilian plants collected by Prince Maximilian of Wied” is supplied, with additions of additional specimens and with corrections and updates of the correct names. This supplement is presented as an electronic appendix to this essay, keeping the original format of the Catalogue, as well as the original numbers of the entries that have any sort of changes. The essay itself presents a summary on what has been achieved regarding the Brazilian collections of Wied, in terms of the current holdings of the different herbaria investigated, the available literature, and the information depicted from the labels of specimens and Wied’s travelogue. Methods – Additional specimens from 23 different herbaria [B, BM, BR, E, F, G, G-DC, GOET, HBG, JE, K, LD, LE, M, MEL, NY, P, PH, S, STR, TO, U, and W] were studied personally, or by checking their holdings available in the internet, or as photographs, digital images received from the curators. Key results – After the release of the Catalogue (2013), 181 additional specimens have been located at the V. L. Komarov Botanical Institute (LE) in Saint Petersburg, along with 249 other specimens attributable to Wied from other herbaria. From these, 44 species not listed in the Catalogue have been added here. Lectotypifications for Calydermos repens Spreng., Celastrus quadrangulata Schrad., Ethulia involucrata Nees & Mart., and Inga ramiflora Colla are made, as well as the synonymizations of Calydermos repens Spreng. under Centratherum punctatum Cass., Acacia lasiopus Colla under Piptadenia adiantoides (Spreng.) J.F.Macbr., Inga ramiflora Colla under Zygia latifolia (L.) Fawc. & Rendle var. communis (Mart.) Barneby & J.W.Grimes. Panicum vimineum Schrad. and P. planotis Trin. are homotypic synonyms.

: The collection and conservation of the Cucurbita genus in Brazil happened in so dispersed institutions, an assessment of the storage conditions and the genetic diversity is needed, making it possible to identify new priorities for the genus. This work constitutes diagnosis of geographical distribution, storage conditions in situ and ex situ and on genetic diversity of the Cucurbita genus in Brazil. Research was done in herbariums, databases, literature and in situ (expeditions to rural areas and markets) to map the areas of occurrence of the species. During these expeditions, questionnaires were applied to obtain information about the property and genus Cucurbita . Questionnaires were sent to 173 Brazilian institutions regarding the preservation conditions ex situ . A genetic variability of the Cucurbita genus was found in traditional Brazilian agriculture. Collections must be prioritized in the northern and southern regions (all states); the southeastern region, all states, excep...