Acta Botanica BrasilicaPrint version  ISSN 0102-3306

Acta Bot. Bras. vol.16 no.1 São Paulo Jan. 2002

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-33062002000100004 

FLORA OF PEAK Jabre, PARAÍBA, BRAZIL:CACTACEAE . JUSS 1

 

Emerson Antonio Rock 2 

Maria de Fátima Agra 3

 

Received on 12/07/99. Accepted on 07/05/01.

SUMMARY  (Flora of Peak Jabre, Paraíba, Brazil: Cactaceae . juss) In this work we carried out the systematic treatment of the Cactaceae of Peak Jabre, Paraíba, Brazil. The study area is the highest point of the northern Northeast, consists of an enclave of mountain forest, is considered one of the few representatives of Paraíba included in the Atlantic Forest domain. Pico do Jabre, the Cactaceae are represented by three genera and four species: Cereus jamacaru . DC, melocactus ernestii Vaupel, Pilosocereus chrysostele(Vaupel) Byles & Rowley and Pilosocereus gounellei (FACWeber) Byles & Rowley.

Keywords  Cactaceae, Pico do Jabre, Paraíba, Northeast Brazil

 

ABSTRACT  (Flora of the Pico do Jabre, Paraíba, Brazil: Cactaceae juss.). This work constitutes a systematic treatment of the Cactaceae family found in the "Pico do Jabre", Paraíba, Brazil. The study-area is the highest peak in the Northern part of Northeastern Brazil and Consists of an isolated portion of humid forest, one of the few in the State of Paraíba, included in the the domain of the Atlantic Forest. In the "Pico do Jabre" the Cactaceae family is represented by three genera and four species: Cereus jamacaru DC. melocactus ernestii Vaupel, Pilosocereus chrysostele (Vaupel) Byles & Rowley and Pilosocereus gounellei (FACWeber) Byles & Rowley.

Key words  Cactaceae; Pico do Jabre, Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil

 

 

Introduction

The Cactaceae family has about 108 genera and 1,306 species, widely distributed in tropical regions of the New World (Hunt 1999), occurring mainly in warm, dry areas. Are generally xerophytic plants, áfilas with stem and succulent, spiny, solitary and showy flowers branches.

The most recent and comprehensive classification for the group is that of Wallace (1995), which divides the family into four subfamilies: Maihuenioideae, Pereskioideae, Cactoideae and Opuntioideae. Isolated revisions have been made to the genera melocactus (Taylor 1991) and Pilosocereus (Zappi 1994).

The Cactaceae have economic importance, mainly for ornamental and forage value. With regard to regional agriculture, some species are used to feed cattle, goats and sheep, particularly in the dry season. Andrade-Lima (1966) highlighted Cereus jamacaru DC. between native species used for this purpose. The dominance or subdominâcia species of Cactaceae in the caatinga vegetation physiognomy, mainly of the genera Cereus ,Opuntia and Pilosocereus , has been of great importance in feeding the local wildlife.

The present study aimed taxonomic treatment of the family Cactaceae of Peak Jabre, as part of the "Flora of Peak Jabre" project, which is being conducted by the Federal University of Paraíba.

 

Material and methods

Study area - The Peak Jabre is located in south central state of Paraíba, municipality of Maturéia, Sierra de Teixeira, between meridians 7 the 11'10 "S and 37 parallels of the 08'22 "37 and the 25'53 "W, rising to 1,197 m above sea level. characterized by the presence of rocky outcrops (granite and gneiss), and the semicaducifólia vegetation subxerofítica, known as" mountain forest ", with characteristic floristic elements the humid forest and savanna.

Collections and identifications - The herborization of the material collected followed the techniques proposed by Radford et al. (1974) and Sánchez-Mejorada (1986). IDs and botanical illustrations were made by fresh material, fixed in 70% alcohol, and morphological studies performed after the material through keys and diagnoses of specialized bibliography (Barroso 1978; Rizzini 1982, Taylor 1991; Zappi 1994). Data on the geographical distribution were obtained at the herbarium labels and literature (Rizzini 1982, Taylor 1991; Zappi 1994). The collected material is deposited in the herbarium JPB, with duplicates in IPA and MO. Presents a key to species separation, descriptions and botanical illustrations. The abbreviations of the names of the authors are in agreement with Brummitt & Powell (1992).

 

Results and discussion

Cactaceae Juss. (Adapted from Zappi 1992)

Shrubs to trees, perennials, succulents generally; crass cladodes, externally greenish, photosynthetic, cylindrical, globose, costelados and compressed, succulent and often mucilaginous. Areolas (short stems yielding leaves, thorns, branches and flowers) always present. Leaves present or often reduced and juicy. Flowers diurnal or nocturnal anthesis, showy, usually actinomorphic, monoclinous, from areolas, cephalium lateral or terminal; hypanthium Receptacular of nature, sometimes covered with scales, and equipped with areolas trichomes and thorns, with or without bracts, the perianth segments ranging on texture, shape and color, with the outermost sepalóides and more internal petaloid; numerous stamens, in continuous or interrupted, spiral series,

inserted inside the floral tube, sometimes formed by two groups, the lower (which protects nectariferous) chamber with thick, curved to the apex, watching the stylus fillets, and the upper tier with thinner fillets and straight; basifixas anthers, bitecas, longitudinal dehiscence; generally inferior ovary, unilocular, pluriovular, ovules with parietal or basal placentation, campilotropous the anatropous; stigmas lobed, lobes equal to the number of carpels. Conical to subglobose berry, fleshy, juicy, dehiscent or indehiscent, whether incorporated or not remnants of the perianth, pericarp covered with scales, borders or flat, forming pulp funicles various colors and textures, often sweetened; numerous seeds, 1-3.5 mm compr., bare or covered by an aryl sclerified, winged or not, globose to ovoid, thin or bony integument with dark chestnut color, glossy or matte.

 

 

1. Cereus Mill.

Cereus jamacaru DC ., Prodr. 3: 467. 1828.

Fig 1A . Tree, 3-7 m tall. Cladodes multiarticulado, candelabriformes ramifications. Translations crass, 4-7 ribs, angular-starry. Armed areolas, from each other by 2-4 cm; rigid spines, acicular, gray to gold in different number and size; radial 7-9, 1-2 cm long;. 8-10 plants, 1-6 cm long. Flowers anthesis, 14-18cm compose, target-green, isolated, sessile, inserted above the areolas;. Longer tube, funnel-shaped, length 7-9cm;. Pericarpelo 1.5-2.5 cm long;. Numerous stamens fillets inserted in perianth, globose anthers. Berry 10-13 x 5-9cm, ovoid dehiscent, sucosa; epicarp glabrous, rosy red; funicular pulp, mucilage, dawn; seeds 1.5-2.5 mm long, exposed in the mature fruit..

Brazilian species widely distributed in northeastern Brazil, occurring from Maranhao to Bahia. Was found in the study area at elevations up to 800 m and occurs in rocky areas, rocky soils and in clearings of the forest, exposed to the sun. Nocturnal flowers, visited by moths and bats, from January to August. Fruits from February to September.

Material examined:   BRAZIL. Paraíba: Mun. of Maturéia, XII/1997 sterile, MF Agra et al. 4424 (JPB, MO); ibid , IV/1998, fl.. fr., EA Rock & MF Agra 383 (IPA, JPB).

2. melocactus Link & Otto

Melocactus ernestii Vaupel, Monatasschr. Kakt. Kunde-30: 8. 1920s. subsp . ernestii

1B . Succulent plant, 15-25cm tall; cladode 20-25 x 15-25cm, globose to subglobose, bright green, 10-15-costelado; areolas 0.8-1 cm diam, separated, 1-1,. 5cm, 14-20 spines in each areola, 4-8cm compose, recurvos, reddish-brown to gray, larger plants;. cephalium globular to cylindrical, 4-14 x 8-12cm, central, terminal, with stiff bristles, rosy In the marginal and lily in the center region. Flowers diurnal anthesis, 2 to 2.7 cm long, pinkish, daytime, inserted in cephalium to the basal ¾;. Stamens numerous, inserted inside the floral tube, wider fillets at the base, anthers minute, globose; slender stiletto; stigma 4-5-lobed, whitish. Berry 2-2.5 x 0.5-1cm, elongate-conical, sucosa, pink on top and whitish on basal ¼, indehiscent; pupa funicular mucilaginous transparent; numerous seeds, miniature, ca. 1mm compr., Globose.

Endemic species from Brazil (Bahia, Ceará, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Sergipe and Minas Gerais), occurring mainly in the savanna and wet forests. It is common in the study area, occurring as isolated individuals or populations, on granitic rocks, at altitudes of 900 to 1,100 m, and the highest altitude ever recorded for the occurrence of this species. Observed diurnal flowers with anthesis after two o'clock in the afternoon, visited by different species of hummingbirds and butterflies. Flowers from January to April and July to December. Fruits from September to December and from January to July.

Material examined:   BRAZIL. Paraíba: Mun. of Maturéia, Peak Jabre, IV/1998, fl. fr., EA Rock & MF Agra 380 (IPA, JPB).

3. Pilosocereus Byles & Rowley

1. Stem with over 12 ribs; erect cladodes; thorns of flexible vegetative part, smaller than 2 cm, protected by golden bristles flowers ........................ ........ 1. P. chrysostele

1. Stem up to 11 ribs; decumbent cladodes; hard thorns of vegetative parts, greater than 2 cm; flowers never protected by golden bristles ........................ 2. P. gounellei

1. Pilosocereus chrysostele (Vaupel) Byles & Rowley , Cact. Succ. J. Gr. Brit. 19 (3): 66. 1957.

Figure 1C . Shrub, 1-2m alt,. Cladodes branched at the base, erect, mucilaginous; cladodios angular, 30-50cm compose, 19-25 ribs,. Armed areolas differing from each other by 0.3-0.5 cm; flexible spines, acicular , the golden brown, different in number and size:.. 9-12 radial, 0.4-1.0 cm long, 6-8 central, 0.6-1.3 cm long; cephalium hiding areolas, formed by tufts of golden bristles. Flowers anthesis, 4-6 cm long, greenish target, isolated,. Perianth funnel-shaped, 2-3cm tube compose;. Pericarpelo ovoid, 0.4-0.6 cm long;. Numerous stamens, short fillets, inserted in perianth , globose anthers. Berry 2.5-4 x 3-4cm, sucosa, subglobose, dehiscent laterally; epicarp glabrous, purplish, mucilaginous pulp funicular, purple, seeds ca. 1.5 mm, ovoid, exposed in the mature fruit.

Species endemic to Northeast Brazil, occurring from Ceará to Pernambuco. was found in Peak Jabre at all altitude levels, occurring in small populations on granitic rocks. Nocturnal flowers, January to September, with anthesis between five and six o'clock, visited by small bats. Fruits from February to October.

Material examined:   BRAZIL. Paraíba: Mun. of Maturéia, Peak Jabre, I/1994 , sterile, MF Agra et al. 2836 (IPA, JPB); ibid. , I/1997, fl. Agra MF et al. 3906 (JPB); ibid. , IV/1998 , fl. . fr, EA 377 Rock & MF Agra (JPB); ibid. , IV/1998, fl. fr., EA 378 Rock & MF Agra (IPA, JPB).

4. Pilosocereus gounellei (FAC Weber) Byles & Rowley, Cact. Succ. J. Gr. Brit. 19 (3): 67. 1957. subsp.gounellei Fig.   1D  . shrub, 0.8-1.5 m high;. multiarticulados cladodes in candelabriformes, decumbent branches; cladodios cylindrical, angular, 50-70cm compose, 9-11 ribs,. armed areolas differing from each 1-1.5 cm , rigid spines, needle-like, gray or greenish in number and different size: 12-15 radial, 1-3cm compose; 1-5 central, 3-6cm compr.. Flowers anthesis, 6-8cm compose, isolated, sessile, inserted in the furrows protected by silky trichomes cinéreos;. Perianth funnel-shaped, greenish-target tube 3-6cm compose;. Fillets short, inserted in perianth; subglobosas anthers; pericarpelo 0.6-1cm compr., ovoid. Berry 3-6 x 4-6cm, juicy, subglobose, dehiscent laterally; epicarp glabrous, purplish, mucilaginous pulp funicular, purple, seeds ca. 2 mm long., Obovoid to cordate, exposed in the mature fruit.

Species endemic to Northeast Brazil, occurring from Maranhao to Bahia, with wide distribution in the bush, found in sandy-stony soils and rock outcrops. was found at the base of the peak, at altitudes up to 800 m on granitic rocks. Nocturnal flowers with anthesis at five o'clock in the afternoon, being visited by moths, from February to September and fruits from March to October. However, it is believed that the pollination of Pilosocereus is normally done by bats (Zappi 1994), but this was not observed by the authors of this paper during development.

Material examined:   BRAZIL. Paraíba: Mun. of Maturéia, Peak Jabre, IV/1998, fl. fr., EA 379 Rock & MF Agra(JPB).

 

Thanks

The authors thank the following people: Dr. Nigel Taylor for reviewing the manuscript and Dr. Daniela Zappi the suggestions; Carla S. Rocha Melo de Lucena and illustrations by George Sidney Baracho; Dulce Gonçalves Oliveira for technical support. Finally, the authors acknowledge the partial financial support provided by the National Geographic Society, O Boticario Foundation for Nature Protection and MacArthur Foundation; CNPq / PNE by DTI grant of the first author

 

References

Andrade-Lima, D. 1966. Cactaceae of Pernambuco. Pp. From 1453 to 1458. In: Proceedings of the XI International Grassland Congress . São Paulo, 1966. [  Links  ]

Barroso, GM; Guimaraes, EF; Ichaso, C LF;. Costa, CG; Peixoto, AL & Lima, HC 1978 . Systematics of Flowering Plants of Brazil , v.1. EDUSP, Sao Paulo. [  Links  ]

Brummitt, RK & Powell, CE 1992. Authors of plant names. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [  Links  ]

Hunt, D. 1999. CITES Cactaceae Chechlist, ed. 2. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Int Org Pl Suculent Study, Zürich. [  Links  ]

Radford, AE, Dickison, WC, Massey, JR & Bell, CR 1974 . Vascular Plant Systematics . Harper & Row Publishers, New York. [  Links  ]

Rizzini, CT 1983. melocactus in Brazil. IBDF, Rio de Janeiro. [  Links  ]

Sánchez-Mejorada, H. 1986. Harvesting techniques especiales y preparación of ejemplares of selective groups of plants: succulents. Pp. 101-111. In: Lot, A. & Chiang, F. (Eds.): Handbook of herbarium. Conjeso National de la Flora de Mexico, Mexico. [  Links  ]

Taylor, NP 1991. The genus melocactus ( Cactaceae ) in Central and South America. Bradleya 9: 1-80. [  Links ]

Wallace, RS 1995. Molecular systematic study of the Cactaceae: using chloroplast DNA variation to elucidate cactus phylogeny. Bradleya 13 : 1-12. [  Links  ]

Zappi, DC 1992. Rupestres The Cactaceae in fields of the Espinhaço Minas Gerais, Brazil . Dissertation. USP, São Paulo. [  Links  ]

Zappi, DC 1994. Pilosocereus (Cactaceae). The genus in Brazil. Succulent Plant Research 3: 1-160. [  Links  ]

1 Financial support: National Geographic Society, O Boticario Foundation for Nature Protection and the MacArthur Foundation.

2 Department of Biological Sciences, Pavilion Jorge Amado, UESC, Rod Ilheus-Itabuna km 16, 45650-000 Ilheus, BA, Brazil. EMail: emerson@jacaranda.uescba.com.br .

3 Department of Botany, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, UFPB, Caixa Postal 5009, 58051-970 João Pessoa, PB, Brazil. EMail: agramf@openline.com.br .