O gênero sida L. (Malvaceae) no município de Caxias, Maranhão, Brasil

Abstract

Malvaceae is one of the largest families of angiosperms, with approximately 243 genera and 4,300 species, distributed in the Neotropics, with Sida being one of the most representative genera of this family, characterized by having a “simple calyx”. This research aims to carry out the taxonomic treatment of the species of the genus Sida of the Malvaceae family for the municipality of Caxias-MA, cataloging and characterizing the morphological aspects of the species. To carry out the research, monthly expeditions were carried out from August 2022 to June 2023, for the collection and subsequent herborization of the collected material. Specimens were analyzed and identified based on specialized bibliographies and identification keys. In all, nine species of the genus were found, with Sida rhombifolia being the most representative, occurring in eight collection points. In view of the data presented, it is pointed out that the area of the Municipality of Caxias, presents a relevant diversity of species of the genus Sida. Thus, the results of this research contribute in a relevant way to the knowledge of the flora of the municipality of Caxias