Floristic study of Ficus (Moraceae) in the state of Guerrero, Mexico

Abstract

Based on herbarium specimens and on field explorations, 14 native species of Ficus (Moraceae) were recognized for Guerrero, Mexico. Four species are included in subgenus Pharmacosycea (Ficus insipida, F. lapathifolia, F. maxima and F. yoponensis) and 9 in subgenus Urostigma (F. citrifolia, F. cotinifolia, F. crocata, F. membranacea, F. obtusifolia, F. pertusa, F. petiolaris, F. pringlei and F. velutina), including a possible record of F. aurea. A key, descriptions, distribution maps, and phenology data of species are provided, and 6 of them are ilustrated. Riparian forest and tropical deciduous forest were the vegetation communities with the highest number of species (8). Ficus lapathifolia was restricted to cloud forest whereas F. pringlei shows the same condition in the tropical deciduous forest. The municipalities of Chilpancingo de los Bravo and Atoyac de Alvarez were the most diverse with 11 and 9 species, respectively. Ficus crocata, F. lapathifolia, E membranacea, F pringlei and E yoponensis are recorded for the first time for the study area.