Synopsis of Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) in the state of Paraíba, Brazilian Northeastern

Abstract

Ipomoea L. is the largest genus of Convolvulaceae, comprising c. of 635 species, distributed mostly in tropical and subtropical regions. In the Brazilian flora, c. 160 species are recorded, of which 65 are endemic. The Northeastern region is the second with the highest diversity of the genus (89 spp.). This study presents a survey of Ipomoea in the state of Paraíba, Brazil, based on field expeditions and herbarium consultations, totaling approximately 700 specimens analyzed. We identified of 39 taxa, 38 species and one variety, including five new records for the flora of Paraíba: I. calyptrata Dammer, I. grandifolia (Dammer) O’Donell, I. longibracteolata Sim.-Bianch. & J.R.I. Wood, I. mauritiana Jacq., and I. meyeri (Spreng.) G.Don. An identification key, a list of examined materials, data on geographic distribution and habitat, phenology, and taxonomic notes are provided. Additionally, we include a map of Ipomoea richness in the study area, highlighting areas of greater richness, particularly within the Intermediate Region of Campina Grande.