Moquilea Aubl., Hist. Pl. Guiane

Barros, Natália, Menezes, Luis Fernando Tavares de, Sothers, Cynthia & Peixoto, Ariane Luna, 2025, Flora of Espírito Santo: Chrysobalanaceae, Rodriguesia (e 00872024) 76, pp. 1-39 : 34-35

8. Moquilea Aubl., Hist. Pl. Guiane 1: 521, t. 208. 1775.

Trees. Leaf lower surface glabrous or lanate, without stomatal crypts. Petiole with or without glands. Inflorescence panicles, racemes or racemose panicles. Bracts and bracteoles small. Petals 4–5. Stamens 11–60(–90), inserted in a complete circle; filaments glabrous, usually far exceeding calyx lobes, free or slightly united at base. Ovary lanate, tomentose or pilose, inserted at base of receptacle. Fruit globose to ellipsoid, epicarp glabrous or pubescent, smooth, lenticellate; endocarp glabrous or sparsely pubescent within ( Sothers et al. 2016).

Moquilea is present in Central and South American countries, with 54 species in total ( Sothers et al. 2016). In Brazil, there are 15 accepted species within the genus, recorded in the Amazon, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes ( Sothers & Prance 2023g).

Only two species occur in EspÍrito Santo, Moquilea salzmannii Hook. f. and Moquilea tomentosa Benth. The latter is a widely cultivated species, native to the northeastern region of Brazil, and frequently used in urban afforestation throughout Brazil.