Taxonomic studies with Euphorbiaceae and Phyllanthaceae in Brazil

Abstract

Euphorbiaceae sensu stricto. and Phyllanthaceae are the most diverse groups among the Euphorbiaceae sensu lato and are important representatives of the Brazilian flora, with Euphorbiaceae s.s. among the families with the greatest species richness in all phytogeographic domains of the country, with an emphasis on Croton, which is especially diverse in the Caatinga. The greatest diversity of these families is found in the Southeast and Northeast regions, where São Paulo and Bahia stand out for their initiatives of regional flora and also, in the case of Euphorbiaceae s.s. and Phyllanthaceae, by SP and HUEFS herbaria with many collections of these families. In this context, this project aims to produce an accessible data base for the Euphorbiaceae s.s. and Phyllanthaceae deposited in the SP herbarium by digitization and nomenclatural validation of these specimens, finish the monograph of Euphorbiaceae s.s. within the project Flora Fanerogamic of the State of São Paulo, produce the monographs of genera of Euphorbiaceae s.s. and Phyllanthaceae for the Flora da Bahia project, to elaborate photographic guides and interactive identification keys as support tools for the identification of species of these families, and to review the species of Croton occurring in the Caatinga, with a study of their distribution and endemism in this domain. Activities within this project will also contribute to the training of new taxonomists and specialists in relatively neglected groups of Euphorbiaceae s.s. and Phyllanthaceae (AU)