Subsídios para identificação de carapa guianensis aubl. (mellaceae), utilizando aspectos morfológicos do fruto, da semente e da plântula

Abstract

The herbaria MG (Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi) and IAN (Embrapa Amazônia Oriental) are references for botanical collections in the Amazon, and probably the only ones that have a fully referenced seedling collection, since all samples have their respective exsiccate (voucher) of the parent plant. However, there are few works developed in the area of reference collections of fruits, seeds and seedlings, limiting the execution of certain researches, such as the identification of natural regeneration. In this context, the present study aims to describe, illustrate and computerize the morphological data of fruits, seeds and seedlings for correct identification of species, thus subsidizing research on plant biodiversity in the region. Among the various tree species studied, Carapa guianensis Aubl. stands out for its multiple use. This species is popularly known as andiroba, reaches 30 to 40 meters in height, occurs in Central America, Peru, Suriname, Guianas, tropical Africa, Antilles, Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil. The methodology consisted in the analysis of 30 fruits, 30 seeds and 20 seedlings, focusing on the morphology of their macroscopic characters. The general morphology, coloration, texture, consistency and dehiscence of the fruits were analyzed. From the seeds, the integument and embryo were described. The seedling was considered the developmental stage where the eophylls were fully formed, and its main vegetative elements were described. The entire study was based on specialized literature and the morphological characters were illustrated with photographs. The species presented a septate capsule type fruit, globose to subglobose, 4-5-valved, dehiscent. Seeds stenospermic, dark brown, angular to obovate; embryo conferruminate. Germination cryptocotyledonous, hypogeous. Seedling with alternate, asymmetrical, pinnate, brochidodromous eophyllostrifoliolate; epicotyl epigeous, straight, cylindrical, with alternate cataphylls; hypocotyl poorly developed.