Flora of Espírito Santo: Lecythidaceae

Abstract

Abstract The Lecythidaceae clade has a pantropical distribution and comprises 24 genera and 355 species. Ten genera and 121 species occur in Brazil, where species richness is highest in Amazonia. Four genera and 14 species were recorded in Espírito Santo, as well as two cultivated species. Important characters used to identify the species are the morphology of the bark, shape and size of the leaves, presence and shape of trichomes on the leaves and inflorescences, inflorescence type, morphology and color of the perianth (especially the petals), morphology of the androecium, shape and dimension of the fruits and seeds, and morphology of the arils. Identification keys, descriptions, illustrations, and comments for the taxa are provided.