Flora of Ceará, Brazil: Onagraceae

Abstract This study aimed to provide the floristic survey of Onagraceae in Ceará state. The floristic study consisted of analyzing material deposited in the herbaria EAC, ESA, FUEL, HCDAL, HUEFS, HUVA, HVASF, INPA, K, MO, NY, P, RB, UFRN and US, as well as field work carried out between 2015 and 2017. In the study area, Onagraceae is represented by the genus Ludwigia, and seven species were recorded: L. erecta, L. helminthorrhiza, L. hyssopifolia, L. leptocarpa, L. nervosa, L. octovalvis and L. tomentosa. All seven species were also sampled in Conservation Units, with L. erecta recorded in six of them. L. erecta and L. helminthorrhiza have a broader distribution in the state. L. nervosa and L. tomentosa are indicated as new occurrences for Ceará, both with only one record in the south of the state, expanding their range in Northeastern Brazil. The information in this manuscript allows identification of Onagraceae representatives in Ceará state, through morphological descriptions, identification keys, taxonomic comments, illustrations, photographs and geographic distribution data.