ABSTRACT
The Vatairea clade sensu Mansano et al. (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) encompasses the genera Luetzelburgia, Sweetia, Vatairea, and Vataireopsis, for which seedling morphology data are available only for Vatairea and Vataireopsis. Seedlings of Luetzelburgia guaissara Toledo and Sweetia fruticosa Spreng. were described and illustrated in this paper. Luetzelburgia guaissara has phanero-epigeal-reserve seedlings, while Sweetia fruticosa possesses cryptohypogeal-reserve seedlings. A brief review of seedling morphology of the Vatairea clade members, and a key for seedling identification of these genera are presented. The variation of seedling morphological types, as well as some characters as number of leaflets, presence of cataphylls, occurrence of a basal projection at the 'collet', and the type of leaflet nyctinasty have systematic relevance for distinction of genera in this clade.
Key words:
Vatairea clade; Leguminosae; Papilionoideae; morphology; seedling; Brazil