Abstract

BAUDILIO RONDON, José. Taxonomic revision of the genus Melochia  L. (Sterculiaceae) in Venezuela. Acta Bot. Venez., June 2009, vol.32, no.1, p.1-61. ISSN 0084-5906.

This critical research based on the analysis of collected samples and of preserved ma­terial in the most important herbaria of Venezuela represents the first revision of the genus Melochia for the country. Seventeen species of this genus, generally located in deciduous forests, were clearly recognized. Melochia lanceolata is reported for the first time to Venezuela. Melochia caracasana, M. nodiflora, M. parvifolia, M. pyramidata and M. to­mentosa are the species with widest distribution, being located from the center-western to the eastern states of Venezuela. The sections accompanied by keys, descriptions and illustra­tions are indicated with details of flowers, fruits, seeds and information of use, habit and phenology of the species. The form of the fruit, type of inflorescence, calyx lobe sinuses type, form and pubescence of the petal, presence of staminodia, and floral morphology are characters used to distinguish species.

Keywords: Melochia; Sterculiaceae; taxonomy; Venezuela.