XVI International Botanical Congess

The Brazilian cerrado" (sensu lato) vegetation occupies an area of 23% of the Brazilian territory, with an estimated flora of ten thousand species, yet less than 1% of the flora has been chemically and/or pharmacologically examined. This study surveyed the wild species from cerrado" used in Brazilian traditional medicine. Twenty-six sites across six states and the Federal District were surveyed resulting in a total of 42 botanical families and 90 species reported as medicinal plants. The outstanding species are: Brosimum gaudichaudii, Caryocar brasiliensis, Copaifera langsdorfii, Croton antisiphilliticus, Dimorphandra mollis, Hymenaea courbaril, Lafoensia pacari, Lychnophora ericoides, Macrosiphonia velame, Pterodon emarginatus, Palicourea coriacea, Solanum paniculatum and Stryphnodendron adstringens.