A New Endangered Species of Tragia (Euphorbiaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract

Abstract—A new species (Tragia hoffmanniae) found only in the Atlantic Forest in the state of Bahia (northeastern Brazil) is presented here, with descriptions of its morphology and pollen grains; illustrations, maps, and geographical and morphological comments are also provided. The species differs from other Tragia sect. Tragia taxa in having leaves with an elliptic to lanceolate blade, caudate apex, and entire margin. A comparative table is provided to distinguish the new species from other Tragia species in the Atlantic Forest.

Tragia L. Genus: Ethnopharmacological Use, Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activity

“…Figure 1 shows T. involucrata leaf hairs with raphides visible, taken in Kerala, India, and T. ramosa with clearly visible raphides, taken in Nevada, USA. Species belonging to Euphorbiaceae in general and to Tragia in particular are still not fully settled [8], as new species are being discovered [15] and species are being reassigned to other genera [9,16], so the number of species in the genus is still subject to change.…”