Abstract
Asteraceae is the largest family of angiosperms with ca. 24.000 species and 1600-1700 genera widely distributed. Calea L. is represented in the tropical and subtropical regions by ca. 125 species. This genus is very similar to Aspilia and Wedelia, however the former presents ligulate pistilate flowers and pappus composed of free pales. The aim of this paper is to present a taxonomic survey of Calea in the state of Bahia. The analyzed specimens included material collected in the field, as well as herbarium material. The following 10 species are known to occur in Bahia: C. angusta S.F. Blake, C. candolleana (Gardner) Baker, C. gardneriana Baker, C. harleyi H. Rob., C. microphylla (Gardner) Baker, C. morii H. Rob., C. pilosa Baker, C. pinheiroi H. Rob., C. purpurea G.M. Barroso e C. villosa Baker. The species are basically distinct by the sinflorescence arrangement (heads number and peduncle size), head radiate or discoid, receptacle (paleaceous × epaleaceous), flower numbers and pappus size. Within the genus, C. angusta is restricted to shrubby vegetation on dunes (Bahia and Sergipe States), C. candolleana has the widest geographical distribution (BA, TO, GO, MG and PE), C. pilose and C. morii are known only from Bahia. The other species occur in the Bahia, Distrito Federal, Goiás and Minas Gerais states: C. gardneriana and C. purpurea (BA, GO), C. microphylla (BA, DF and GO), C. harleyi and C. pinheiroi (BA e MG) and C. villosa (BA, GO, MG). Keys, descriptions, geographic distribution, comments and illustrations are provided.
Key words:
Compositae; Heliantheae Alliance; taxonomy