ResumoA família Malvaceae é constituída por plantas herbáceas, arbustivas e arbóreas, encontradas em todos os domínios fitogeográficos do Brasil, com espécies de uso alimentício, ornamental e paisagístico. O estudo teve por objetivo contribuir com a ampliação do conhecimento e Research, Society and Development, v. 9, n. 4, e182942612, 2020 (CC BY 4.0) | ISSN 2525-3409 | DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v9i4.2612 2 distribuição geográfica das espécies de Malvaceae para o Maranhão. A coleta do material botânico foi realizada em um fragmento de vegetação, localizado na zona urbana do município de Caxias/MA, entre os meses de fevereiro de 2017 e março de 2018. As amostras foram herborizadas de acordo com as técnicas usuais em taxonomia vegetal e a identificação das especies foi realizada através de bibliografia especializada. As espécies de Melochia parvifolia Kunth, Sida ciliaris L. e Sida urens L. ocorrem no Maranhão, com ampla distribuição no Brasil e em todos os tipos de vegetação. Com base nos resultados, amplia-se a área de distribuição dos taxa para o Maranhão e Nordeste do Brasil. Descrições, chave de identificação, imagens e mapa de distribuição são apresentadas para as espécies de Malvaceae registradas.Palavras-chave: Flora do Maranhão; Melochia parvifolia; Sida ciliaris; Sida urens. Abstract The Malvaceae family is constituted of herbaceous, shrub and tree plants, found in all phytogeographic domains in Brazil, with species for food, ornamental and landscape use. The study aimed to contribute to the expansion of knowledge and geographical distribution of three species of Malvaceae to Maranhão. The collection of botanical material was carried out in a fragment of vegetation, located in the urban area of the municipality of Caxias / MA, between the months of February 2017 and March 2018. The samples were herborized according to the usual techniques in plant taxonomy and species identification was carried out through specialized bibliography. The species of Melochia parvifolia Kunth, Sida ciliaris L. and Sida urens L. occur in Maranhão, with wide distribution in Brazil and in all types of vegetation. Based on the results, the taxa distribution area is expanded to Maranhão and Northeast Brazil. Descriptions, identification key, images and distribution map are presented for the registered Malvaceae species. ResumenLa familia Malvaceae está constituída por plantas herbáceas, arbustivas y arbóreas, que se encuentran en todos los dominios fitogeográficos de Brasil, con especies de uso alimentar, ornamental y paisajístico.El estudio tuvo como objetivo contribuir a la expansión del conocimiento y la distribución geográfica de las especies de Malvaceae para Maranhão. La recolección de material botánico se realizó en un Research, Society and Development, v. 9, n. 4, e182942612, 2020 (CC BY 4.0) | ISSN 2525-3409 | DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v9i4.2612 6 Material examinado: Brasil, Maranhão, Caxias, Morro do Alecrim, 17/VIII/2018, fl, fr., Nascimento, J.M. 96 (HABIT). Figura 2. Ocorrência de Melochia parvifo...

This study presents an updated checklist of angiosperms from the Inhamum Municipal Environmental Protection Area (IMEPA), municipality of Caxias, a strategic area for understanding the Cerrado flora in the State of Maranhão, Brazil. The data presented provides information on the most representative taxa, number of collections, physiognomies of occurrence, life forms, endemicity to Brazil, new records for the State and a floristic similarity analysis with other Cerrado areas in this State. A total of 16 field excursions were carried out from January 2018 to June 2019, with random collections of fertile specimens made mostly on trails. We found 228 species of angiosperms distributed in 148 genera and 50 families. The most representative family was Leguminosae, with 54 species and 33 genera. Cyperus (Cyperaceae) was the most representative genus with seven species. A total of 40 species are endemic to Brazil, and ten are new occurrences for the State of Maranhão. The similarity analysis showed that the composition of angiosperm species from IMEPA is closer to that from the Buriti do Meio Environmental Protection Area, another conservation unit located in the same mesoregion within the State of Maranhão. Nonetheless, low similarity values were recorded, demonstrating an exclusive local richness in the analyzed areas. This study contributed to the knowledge of the Cerrado flora from the State of Maranhão, filling in the Cerrado diversity gaps in Northern Brazil.

The Morros Garapenses Environmental Protection Area (EPA) is home to significant biodiversity and an important paleobotanical site, with Permian fossil records, being a strategic area for studies in Maranhão. The objective of this study was to provide a list of species of phanerogams from the Morros Garapenses EPA. The material was collected through the walking method on pre-existing trails at different elevations and phytophysiognomies. The collection, herborization, identification, and classification of species followed the usual methodology for this type of research. A total of 297 species distributed in 196 genera and 70 families were cataloged. The families with highest specific richness were Fabaceae (60 species), Malvaceae (20 spp.), Rubiaceae (18 spp.), Cyperaceae (16 spp.), Euphorbiacae (14 spp.), and Bignoniaceae (13 spp.). Forty-nine species were endemic to Brazil, fifteen are being reported for the first time from Maranhão, and five from Cerrado. Several phytophysiognomies were found in the area, namely, Cerradão (33 species), Campo sujo (7 spp.), typical Cerrado (154 spp.), veredas (10 spp.), riparian forest (5 spp.), and anthropized areas (5 spp.). The study revealed a significant number of species in the Morros Garapenses EPA, stressing the urgent need to create a management plan for the sustainable use of natural resources and recovery of degraded areas.

Paullinia cearensis Somner & Ferrucci (Sapindaceae) is an endemic species of Northeastern Brazil, hitherto known from the states of Ceará and Piauí, in areas of Caatinga and Atlantic Forest. The species is being recorded for the first time in the state of Maranhão and in the Brazilian Cerrado. It was collected in Morro do Alecrim, a remnant of Cerrado, in Caxias-Maranhão, during a botanical expedition in January 2021, where the species was found with fruits. A morphological description, taxonomic comments, data on geographic distribution, detailed images of the species, and an assessment of its conservation status, categorized as endangered, are presented. This data will contribute to the knowledge and conservation of this species for the northeastern flora.