Flora of Espírito Santo: Chrysophyllum (Sapotaceae)

Abstract

Chrysophyllum is the second largest genus in the Sapotaceae family with 71 known species, which are mostly distributed in the Neotropics. In Brazil, 31 species are recorded, out of them 14 are endemic. Recent manuscripts listed nine taxa as native from Espírito Santo state, however, taxonomic data and the real identity of them is incipient. Thus, herein key identification, illustrations, taxonomic comments, and information about the conservation status and geographical distribution of native Chrysophyllum from Espírito Santo state are provided. A total of seven species were recorded for areas of Tabuleiro Forest, Montane Forest, and Restingas: Chrysophyllum flexuosum, C. gonocarpum, C. januariense, C. lucentifolium, C. splendens, C. viride, and Chrysophyllum sp. nov. The most important characters for specific distinction are: 1. Vegetative: leaf shape, foliar indumentum and coloring and density, secondary leaf vein arrangement, and presence/absence of lenticels on the branches; 2. Reproductive: corolla size and indument in the reproductive verticils, shape and color of the fruits.

Key-words:
Ericales; Atlantic Forest; Neotropics; taxonomy