ABSTRACT
This paper presents the taxonomic study of the Lauraceae species from the Reserva Ecológica de Macaé de Cima, located in the municipality of Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The vegetation of the Reserve is classified as Montane Atlantic Rain Forest type with altitudes ranging from 880 to 1720 m a.s.l. Supported by botanical collections deposited in several herbaria, particularly those of the Instituto de Pesquisas do Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, 32 species and nine genera were recognized: Aniba (1 sp.), Beilschmiedia (2 spp.), Cinnamomum (2 spp), Cryptocarya (2 spp.), Endlicheria (1 sp.), Nectandra (3 spp.), Ocotea (18 spp.), Persea (2 spp.), Rhodostemonodaphne (1 sp.). The treatment of the family includes species morphologic description, comments and illustration. Survey also included the gathering of data on species geographical distribution, habitat, flowering and fruitification seasons, uses, as well as an analytical key for genera and species identification in the area. The binomial Ocotea domatiata Mez, O. pulchra Vattimo-Gil and O. teleiandra (Meisn.) Mez were confirmed to be valid. The known geographical distribution of Cinnamomum glaziovii (Mez) Kosterm. and Ocotea urbaniana Mez has been extended. The fruit of O. domatiata Mez and Cinnamomum glaziovii (Mez) Kosterm. was described for the first time.
Keywords:
Lauraceae; Taxonomy; Morphology; Mata Atlântica; Rio de Janeiro