Eperua AUBL. (leguminosae - Caesalpinioideae, detarieae)

Abstract

Detarieae comprises a distinct clade within Leguminosae and presents with 82 genera, being the largest tribe of old concept of Casealpinioideae. This paper aims to conduct a taxonomic study of the Eperua Aubl. It was developed using traditional methods in taxonomy. Data were obtained from the literature, reviewing and collecting herbarium specimens in the field. The genus is represented by 15 species, four subspecies and four varieties: Eperua bijuga Martius ex Benth., E. duckeana R.S. Cowan, E. falcata Aubl., E. glabra R.S. Cowan, E. glabriflora (Ducke) R.S. Cowan, E. grandiflora (Aubl.) Benth. ssp. grandiflora, E. grandiflora (Aubl.) Benth. ssp. guyanensis R.S. Cowan, E. jenmanii Oliver ssp. jenmanii, E. jenmanii Oliver ssp. sandwithii R.S. Cowan, E. leucantha Benth., E. obtusata R.S. Cowan, E. oleifera Ducke var. oleifera, E. oleifera Ducke var. campestris Ducke, E. praesagata R.S. Cowan, E. purpurea Benth., E. rubiginosa Miquel var. rubiginosa, E. rubiginosa Miquel var. grandiflora Pulle, E. schomburgkiana Benth. e E. venosa Cowan. The taxa are usually associated with river banks, except E. purpurea and E. oleifera var. campestres. One new record was found for the state of Pará, one to Amazonas and two to Brazil. An analytical key to identify species, descriptions of the taxa studied, examined material, uses, occurrence area, vernacular names and phenological information are provided, as well as comments and illustrations of the taxa.