Bignoniaceae in the Raso da Catarina Ecoregion, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract: This work presents a floristic survey of the family Bignoniaceae in the Raso da Catarina Ecoregion, Bahia, Brazil, considered as the main family of the Brazilian forests lianas. The samples analyzed were collected from September 2012 to May 2014. The analyses were supplemented with botanical collections kept in the herbaria: ALCB, HRB, HUEFS, IPA and PEUFR. The identifications were made based mainly on specialized bibliographies, protologues, photos of type collections and consulting of the collections in the herbaria that were visited. 11 genera and 20 species of the family were recorded. Fridericia Mart. and Handroanthus Mattos were the most representative genera (5spp.), followed by Jacaranda Juss (2spp.). The other genera presented only one species each. The most representative species in the area were: Anemopaegma laeve DC., Fridericia erubescens (DC.) L.G.Lohmann, Jacaranda jasminoides (Thunb.) Sandwith. and Tabebuia aurea (Manso) Benth. & Hook f. ex Moore. Among the species registered one is new record for the Caatinga biome, ten are endemic to Brazil and three exclusive of the Caatinga. The taxonomic treatment includes a key for the identification, descriptions, illustrations, photos, data of the geographical distribution, economic potential and reproductive phenology and comments about the species.