Zingiberales de Alagoas (excluindo-se Marantaceae)

Abstract

Zingiberales is a monophyletic group with a pantropical distribution, made up of the following families: Cannaceae, Costaceae, Heliconiaceae, Lowiaceae, Marantaceae, Musaceae, Strelitziaceae and Zingiberaceae, with around 99 genera and over 2,300 species. The order has chemical, anatomical and morphological characteristics that make its representatives easily recognizable in the field, such as the presence of petiolate leaves with penile-paralleline veins, as well as showy and colourful bracteate inflorescences. In Brazil, 38 genera and 319 species of the order are recorded. Several species have economic and ecological potential. The main objective of this work was to carry out a floristic survey of the representatives of the order Zingiberales in Alagoas, in order to expand knowledge about this group in the state. Initially, a bibliographic survey of the main studies concerning the order was carried out, followed by a search for information in virtual databases to help with field trips to collect botanical material. Visits were made to the MAC and MUFAL Herbaria to analyze and collect data on the exsiccates deposited there, as well as expeditions to various regions of Alagoas to analyze and collect material. Descriptions were drawn up of the families, genera and species that occur in the state of Alagoas (excluding Marantaceae), analytical identification keys for the genera and species of the order and geographical distribution maps of the taxa. The field expeditions resulted in the collection of 14 species, from eight genera and five families, which corresponds to 41% of the taxa occurring in the state. Two of the species collected had not been reported in the state. This research revealed that 39 species of Zingiberales occur in the state of Alagoas, distributed in 12 genera and five families, and that four taxa had not yet been cited for the state. It is worth mentioning that Marantaceae was not covered in this study, since there is only one recent study of this family in Alagoas. This work is of significant importance, helping to fill a gap in knowledge regarding the Cannaceae, Costaceae, Heliconiaceae and Zingiberaceae families in Alagoas and the Northeast as a whole, and contributing to the recognition of floristic richness and diversity in Alagoas.