Leguminosae: Biodiversity and Taxonomy for the Northeast Region of Brazil

The research aimed to know the diversity of Leguminosae in vegetational fragments of Cerrado in the state of Maranhão. Monthly expeditions were carried out in the period between September from 2016 and June 2017 for observation, collection, and identification of botanical material. A total of 68 specimens, 31 genera, and 45 species were cataloged. Of all the specimens collected, the subfamilies Papilionoideae and Caesalpinioideae were the most representative of 21 species each. As for the Life form, was observed that the prevailing growth habit was the bush type (20). Concerning to the physiognomies of the Cerrado, was observed the predominance of the species in the gallery forest environment (28). Taxonomic keys, descriptions and photo plates were elaborated with all the studied species, composing a taxonomic treatment. In this way, it can be established that the Cerrado of Maranhão possesses a diversity of species for the Leguminosae family and that the research carried out has provided a basis for later studies, since these are few for Maranhão.