Asteraceae do campus Samambaia, UFG, Goiânia, Goiás

Abstract

Asteraceae has a cosmopolitan distribution and is one of the largest families among angiosperms, with approximately 25,000 species grouped into about 1,620 genera and 50 tribes. In the state of Goiás, the family is represented by around 550 species across 133 genera. However, despite its diversity, economic and ecological importance, such as in food, medicinal, and ornamental plants, and its use in ecological restoration projects or even its impact on the economy as invasive plants in crops, there are still few studies on this family in the state of Goiás, especially in urban areas of the city of Goiânia. The Asteraceae family is common on the Samambaia campus of the Federal University of Goiás, being frequent in both natural and anthropized environments. It is widely used in Botany classes and academic projects. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the diversity of species in this family in the area and identification keys to facilitate species recognition. Therefore, the aim of this study was to expand the taxonomic knowledge of the genera and species of the Asteraceae family occurring on the Samambaia campus of UFG, providing an identification key, morphological descriptions, taxonomic comments, and illustrations of the species. Weekly botanical collections were made from November 2023 to November 2024, using the walking method. Fertile specimens found were collected and documented according to standard taxonomy techniques, and incorporated into the collection of the Herbarium of the Federal University of Goiás (UFG Herbarium). Specimens from the study area already deposited in the UFG Herbarium were also used. All specimens examined were identified or had their identification reviewed, and were also morphologically described and illustrated. The Asteraceae family is represented in the study area by 49 species, belonging to 43 genera and 13 tribes. The tribes with the greatest species richness were: Heliantheae, with 12 species; Vernonieae, with 7; Cichorieae and Coreopsideae, with 5 each; Senecioneae, with 4 species; and Astereae, Eupatorieae, and Milleriae, with 3 each. Following these are Gnaphalieae and Tageteae, with 2 species each, and finally, Mutisieae, Inuleae, and Artemideae, with only 1 species each. The genera with the greatest richness were Lactuca (3 species), followed by Bidens, Conyza, Cosmos, Emilia, Erechtites, Tithonia, and Vernonanthura (2 species each), while the other genera were represented by only one species each. Some species found in the study area have broad ecological valence and are widelydistributed, such as Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, Blumea axillaris, Conyza sumatrensis, Eclipta prostrata, Emilia fosbergii, Porophyllum ruderale, Tridax procumbens, and Youngia japonica. Five species had their distribution extended to the state of Goiás: Lactuca indica, Lactuca serriola, Sonchus oleraceus, Tithonia rotundifolia, and Youngia japonica. These results highlight the importance of studies like this for improving knowledge on species distribution and updating regional taxonomic richness