Resumen

LEHTONEN, Samuli  y  GORDON, Elizabeth. Updating the knowledge of the genera Echinodorus and Helanthium (Alismataceae) in Venezuela . Acta Bot. Venez. [online]. 2010, vol.33, n.2, pp.249-272. ISSN 0084-5906.

The taxonomical information of the Venezuelan species of genus Echinodorus sensu lato is updated. Based on molecular systematic studies, the genus is now divided in Echinodorus and Helanthium. Two Helanthium species, and ten species of Echinodorus are recognized in Venezuela. The presence of E. berteroi and E. longipetalus in the native flora of Venezuela is reported for the first time. Several species are still known from one or a few collections due to the aquatic flora of Venezuela remains poorly documented.

Palabras clave : Alismataceae; aquatic plants; biodiversity; Echinodorus; Helanthium; taxonomy.