Climbers from two rock outcrops in the semi-arid region of Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to recognize the floristic composition, the life form and the distribution of species of climbing plants occurring on 2 rock outcrops in the state of Pernambuco. Monthly botanical collections were made from February to September 2015 at Pedra do Cruzeiro (08°09′02.9″ S, 035°45′22.3″ W), municipality of Bezerros and Pico do Papagaio (07°49′25.7″ S, 038°03′14.8″ W), municipality of Triunfo. Fertile specimens were collected following the standard methodology in taxonomy. A total of 58 species were identified from the 2 areas, all widely distributed in Brazil and belonging to 20 botanical families. Apocynaceae, Convolvulaceae, Bignoniaceae, Dioscoreaceae and Fabaceae comprise 60% of all species. The predominant life form was phanerophyte (62%). As for the growth form, 67% of the climbers are herbaceous vines. The adaptation of twining was observed in 69% of species. Six new records for the state of Pernambuco were also identified. The rock outcrops studied show high species richness in relation to the found for climbers in other rock outcrops in the Brazilian Northeast Region.