LA FAMILIA COMBRETACEAE EN LA CUENCA DEL RÍO BALSAS, MÉXICO

Abstract

In this paper we present a taxonomic
revision of the family Combretaceae for the
Balsas River basin, Mexico. The study area
covers part of 8 states of our country (State
of Mexico, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacan,
Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla and Tlaxcala).
The present work includes descriptions and
dichotomous keys for identifying genera
and species distribuited on this area.
We studied approximately 200 specimens
correspondent to 7 herbariums of Mexico
(ENCB, MEXU, FCME, CHAP, INIF, HUMO
& UAMIZ). For each species we present
the following information: species
description, synonymy, vernacular names
if exist, geographical distribution, specimen
citations by states, altitudinal ranges, plant
communities in which it grows, flowering
season, use of the plant, and a distribution
map. Each species is illustrated.
Moreover, we did three botanical
collections; two of them were realized in the
Morelos state, at "Reserva El Tezcal",
municipality of Jiutepec and Tlayecac,
municipality of Cuautla; and the last one
was realized in Huachinantla, town of
Jolalpan, state of Puebla.
For the study area we recognized the
existence of 5 genera and 8 species of this
botanical family (Bucida wiginsiana,
Combretum argenteum, C. decandrum, C.
fruticosum, C. laxum, Conocarpus erecta,
Laguncularia racemosa and Terminalia
catappa) .
The genera Bucida are reported for the first
time from the study area.