Eupatorieae Cass. e Vernonieae Cass. (Asteraceae) na reserva do patrimônio particular natural Santuário do Caraça, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Abstract

The Iron Quadrangle is a region of the state of Minas Gerais known worldwide for its iron deposits. The diverse physical and chemical conditions of this region create unique environments that explain the richness of its flora. The Serra do Caraça is one of the mountain ranges that are part of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, known for the beauty and grandeur of its peaks. This mountain is part of the second largest private conservation unit in Minas Gerais, called the Santuário do Caraça Private Natural Heritage Reserve, which houses a rich fauna and flora characteristic of the region. The Asteraceae family stands out in the world flora, with 43 tribes, 1,901 genera and approximately 30,000 species. In Brazil, the family is represented by 280 genera and 2,069 species. The Eupatorieae and Vernonieae tribes are the largest in number of species (82 genera and 609 species and 129 genera and 1,100 species, respectively). From the compilation of data in the literature and in herbarium databases, more than 136 genera and 618 species of Angiosperms were recorded for the Santuário do Caraça, of which 200 species belong to the Asteraceae. This number represents 1/3 of the wealth in the area, confirming its importance for this orographic set. Due to the large number of species and the absence of Asteraceae taxonomic studies for this region, the objective of this work is to carry out the systematic treatment of the species Eupatorieae and Vernonieae (Asteraceae) in the RPPN Santuário do Caraça. The descriptions of the taxa were based on the specimens from the Serra do Caraça that are deposited in the herbariums BHCB, BHZB, HPUC-MG, HUFU, MBM, OUPR, R, RB, SP, SPF and UEC and in their own collections in the study area. In the RPPN Sanctuary of the Caraça were found 26 genera and 91 species of Eupatorieae and Vernonieae, representing more than ½ of the species of Asteraceae compiled for the region. Of the total species studied, 16 are endemic to Minas Gerais, and Heterocondylus macrocephalus H. Rob. DC. is endemic the Serra do Caraça. For the species of each tribe are presented, identification keys, taxonomic comments and illustrations of the characteristics of the taxa not represented in the literature. Chromolaena lineata is a new combination for Brazil, with geographic distribution in the Serra do Caraça and Serra da Canastra, and for this is presented illustration, photographic plate, map of geographic distribution and taxonomic comments.