Abstract
We present here a floristic survey of representatives of Aristolochiaceae Juss. s.s. occurring in Ceará State, Brazil, as part of the Project “Flora of Ceará: knowing for conserving”. The study was based on the comparative analyses of the morphological characters of specimens deposited in the ALCB, EAC, ESA, HUEFS, P, RB and SP herbaria, the specialized bibliography, and photo-type material. Six species of Aristolochia were recorded for Ceará: A. birostris, A. disticha, A. elegans, A. holostylis, A. labiata and A. papillaris. The species occur preferentially in savanna (cerrado) and savanna steppe (caatinga) vegetation, but some were reported in ombrophilous dense, seasonal deciduous and semi-deciduous lowland forests. Aristolochia disticha is a new occurrence for Ceará State. Two species were recorded in Conservation Areas in the state.
Key words:
Aristolochia; conservation; diversity; Northeastern Brazil
