Useful foliar characters for the recognition of shrub and tree Melastomataceae species in the “Planalto Sul Catarinense” region

Abstract

The Melastomataceae Juss. family has ca. 67 genera and over 1,326 species distributed across virtually all Brazilian plant formations. Being one of the families that include key species for degraded land restoration programs, studies aiming to facilitate the recognition of these species are of great importance, as they may subsidize restoration strategies. We surveyed shrub and tree Melastomataceae species based on voucher specimens deposited in the LUSC Herbarium that were collected at the “Planalto Sul Catarinense” (Southern Santa Catarina state plateau) region, and on random walks performed in the Lages City Natural Park. From the information of both these sources, we made an identification key with descriptions of the species leaf traits and their geographical distribution. We found eight shrub and tree species belonging to four genera: Clidemia D.Don, Leandra Raddi, Miconia Ruiz & Pav., and Tibouchina Aubl. Miconia cinerascens Miq. was the species with the widest distribution in the region. Leaf margin traits, venation pattern, and pubescence were the main features for the differentiation of species. This work has a large practical applicability, such as in vegetation surveys to be further conducted in the “Planalto Sul Catarinense” region.