Synopsis of Commelina L. (Commelinaceae) in the state of Rio de Janeiro, reveals a new white-flowered species endemic to Brazil Author Pellegrini, Marco Octavio de Oliveira https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8783-1362 Universidade de Sao Paulo, Departamento de Botanica, Rua do Matao 277, CEP 05508 - 900, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil & Jardim Botanico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leao 915, CEP 22460 - 030, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil & Current address: Smithsonian Institution, NMNH, Department of Botany, MRC 166, P. O. Box 37012, Washington D. C. 20013 - 7012, USA marcooctavio.pellegrini@gmail.com Author Forzza, Rafaela Campostrini Jardim Botanico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leao 915, CEP 22460 - 030, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil text PhytoKeys 2017 2017-04-05 78 59 81 http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.78.11932 journal article http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.78.11932 1314-2003-78-59 465A177298655C5FFFEDA66AFF80FFF3 576383 1. Commelina benghalensis L., Sp. Pl. 1: 41. 1753 nom. cons. Fig. 1A Neotype (conserved and designated by Faden 1992 ). INDIA. Habitat in Benghala, s.dat., s.leg., Herb. Linn. 65.16 (LINN!). Selected specimens seen. BRAZIL. Rio de Janeiro: Angra dos Reis, Ilha Grande, matas da praia de Abraao , 18 Apr 1987, L.C. Giordano 277 (RB). Armacao de Buzios , 19 Aug 1998, D. Fernandes 19 (R). Cabo Frio, 22 Oct 2013, H.F. Uller s.n. (RB 612224). Campos dos Goytacazes, Morro do Itaoca, Pedra Negra ponto 1, 13 Oct 2009, L.P. Mauad & I.O.R. Areias 20 (RB). Casimiro de Abreu, Praiao , Avenida Oceanica , 24 Jun 2012, A.J. Castelo 39 (RB). Iguaba Grande, Km 94, 1981, H. Barreto s.n. (RB 275353). Macae , Corrego de Ouro, Fazenda Vitoria , Morro do Oratorio , 2 May 1971, J.P.P. Carauta 1364 (RB, U n.v.). Niteroi , Itaipuacu , proximo ao Canal da Costa, 18 Sep 2004, T.T. Carrijo 143 (RB). Resende, margem da rodovia Dutra, Km 302 sentido RJ, ao lado da Light, proximo ao Rio Paraiba do Sul, 9 Jun 2012, M.O.O. Pellegrini et al. 233 (RB). Rio de Janeiro, Morro do Rangel, Recreio dos Bandeirantes, 31 May 1973, D. Sucre 10005 (RB, US). Sao Jose de Uba , 14 May 2014, T.M. Scarponi s.n. (RB 612228). Saquarema, Tingui em Sampaio Correia, 14 Apr 1995, J.A. Lira Neto 56 (RB). Silva Jardim, Proximo a sede da REBIO, 29 Oct 1997, J.A. Lira Neto 719 (RB). Distribution and habitat. Tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In the state of Rio de Janeiro it is especially common in disturbed areas of drier regions inland or near the coast, being common in restingas ( i.e. sandbank vegetation), and as a weed in agricultural fields (Fig. 2 ). Phenology. Throughout the year, but especially in the rainy season. Conservation status. It is a weed of worldwide distribution being very common in sunny disturbed areas and in agricultural fields. Following the IUCN recommendations ( IUCN 2001 ), it should be considered as Least Concern (LC) in the state of Rio de Janeiro and worldwide. Morphological and ecological notes. The underground cleistogamous flowers and fruits seem to be produced only in areas where the soil is soft. The flower morphology differs from the aerial chasmogamous in pigmentation (being paler), while the fruits are sub-globose (due to larger seeds).