The genera of Caesalpinioideae (Leguminosae) from South America - II

Abstract

The South American flora includes 65 genera of Caesalpinioideae (Leguminosae) with wide morphological variation. The four tribes of that subafmily are represented: 31 genera belong to the Caesalpinieae (3 of them introduced); 9 to the Cassieae; 2 to Cercideae (1 introduced), and 23 to Detarieae (2 introduced). Among the South American Caesalpinoideae, 30 genera are endemic (mainly to Brazil), the remaining ones inhabit in tropical and subtropical areas from both hemispheres. All of them grow in diverse habitats: from rainforests, evergreen or deciduous forests, to savannas, semi-deserts and high mountains. Tribes and genera are arranged according to Polhill & Raven (1981), only Poepiggi has been transferred from Caesalpinieae to Cassieae, and Ceratoni from Cassieae to Caesalpinieae. Both Detarieae and Caesalpini are treated here sensu lat. Cercidiu and Parkinsoni are treated as separate taxa until new biosystematic studies and combinations are made. Sclerolobiu is included under the synonymy of Tachigal, and Phyllocarpu under Barnebydendro. The genus Thylacanthu is considered of doubtful introduction. Geographic range area in Argentina is expanded for of Zuccagnia punctata and Parkinsonia aculeata. Barnebydendro, Brodriguesia, Ecuadendron, Orphanodendron and Pomaria are treated jointly for the first time for South America. In addition, keys to tribes and genera, generic descriptions, updated bibliography, iconography, remarks, distribution, nomenclatural types, representative specimens, utilization and illustrations for some species are included.