Flora do Ceará: Centrosema (Faboideae, Fabaceae)

Abstract

The floristic–taxonomic study and the update of the geographical distribution of the species of the genus Centrosema (Faboideae, Fabaceae) in the state of Ceará, northeastern Brazil, are presented as part of the project “Flora of Ceará: knowing to conserve.” The research was consolidated through integrated morphological analyses of samples collected in the field between August 2024 and July 2025, in addition to specimens deposited in national and international herbaria and consultations of specialized literature. In Ceará, Centrosema is represented by ten species, with Centrosema arenarium Benth. being endemic to Brazil. The species were recorded predominantly in the Cristalino Caatinga, Coastal Vegetation Complex, and Humid Forest on Sedimentary formations. Centrosema brasilianum (L.) Benth. is the most widely distributed taxon, recorded in 42 municipalities, occurring mainly in the Cristalino Caatinga and Coastal Vegetation Complex. The species were recorded in ten Conservation Units: Área de Proteção Ambiental do Rio Pacoti, Estação Ecológica de Aiuaba, Estação Ecológica do Pecém, Floresta Nacional do Araripe, Parque do Cocó, Parque Estadual Botânico do Ceará, Parque Nacional de Jericoacoara, Parque Nacional de Ubajara, Refúgio da Vida Silvestre Pedra da Andorinha, Reserva Natural Serra das Almas, and Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Francy Nunes. An identification key, morphological descriptions, taxonomic comments, and information on distribution, ecology, economy, and phenology are provided, as well as illustrations and a map of the distribution of the species occurring in the state of Ceará.