Resumen

RUIZ-ZAPATA, Thirza. Capparis L. Subgénero Calanthea DC. En Venezuela  . Ernstia [online]. 2006, vol.16, n.2, pp.111-127. ISSN 0252-8274.

Calanthea was designated as a section of Capparis by De Candolle in 1824 and raised to subgeneric status by Eichler in 1865. With the objective knowing the species of Capparis subgenus Calanthea present in Venezuela a revision of the taxonomic literature and specimens from different national and foreign herbaria was undertaken, and species were observed in their habitats as well. Three species were registered: C. pulcherrima Jacq., C. stenosepala Urb.and C. detonsa Triana et Planch.; they have disjunct distributions and live in different habitats. The first two grow in thorny xerophytic thickets, and the last in montane evergreen forests. In Venezuela, C. pulcherrima is known only from Lara state, at 600-700 m, and in Colombia from the type locality and neighboring areas. C. stenosepala is an endemic of Venezuela and registered in Anzoátegui, Sucre, and Nueva Esparta states, from sea level to 500 m, and C. detonsa is present in Amazonas, Bolívar, Barinas and Táchira States, at elevations of 600-1300 m; the last species has the broadest distribution, since it is also present in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. For each species illustrations and a distribution map are included.

Palabras clave : Capparaceae; Taxonomy; Capparis; subgenus Calanthea; Venezuela.