Abstract

RONDON, José Baudilio  and  CUMANA-CAMPOS, Luis J. Taxonomic revision of genus helicteres l. (sterculiaceae) in Venezuela. Acta Bot. Venez. [online]. 2007, vol.30, n.1, pp.163-190. ISSN 0084-5906.

The critical evaluation of the plant material, based on the analysis of collected samples and of material preserved in the most important herbaria of the country, represents the first revision of the genus Helicteres L. for Venezuela. This allowed to determine seven species, with Helicteres vallsii Cristóbal reported for the first time for Venezuela. The species of this genus are generally located in deciduous forests. Helicteres baruensis Jacq. and Helicteres guazumifoliaKunth are the species with the widest distribution, being located from the center-west to the eastern states of the country. In the taxonomic treatment, the sections, accompanied by keys, descriptions and illustrations, are indicated with details of flowers, fruits and seeds, and information of use, habitat and phenology of the species H. baruensis Jacq., H. brevispira A.St.-Hil., H. carthagenensis Jacq., H. guazumifolia Kunth, H. heptandra L.B.Sm., H. pentandra L. and H. vallsii Cristóbal. The location, type and forms of extrafloral nectaries, bracts, stamens number and fruit form, are determinant characters to identify sections and species of the genus

Keywords : Helicteres; Sterculiaceae; Taxonomy; Venezuela.