Abstract
Stylosanthes Sw. comprises 48 species with a pantropical distribution. The genus is a member of the informal Pterocarpus - Dalbergioid clade. This work presents a taxonomic study of the genus Stylosanthes for São Paulo state, through analysis of specialized literature and material from national herbaria. Nine species were recognized: S. acuminata M.B. Ferreira & Sousa Costa, S. bracteata Vogel, S. capitata Vogel, S. humilis Kunth, S. gracilis Kunth, S. grandiflora M.B. Ferreira & Sousa Costa, S guianensis (Aubl.) Sw., S. scabra Vogel and S. viscosa Sw., differing mainly in habit, inflorescence form, number of articles per loment, aspect of the rostrum in the loments and seed aspect. Descriptions, illustrations, comments on affinities between species based on morphology, geographic distribution and a key for the recognition of the taxa are provided.
Key words:
flora; Stylosanthes; taxonomy; diversity