SINOPSE COMENTADA DE SMILACACEAE NAS RESTINGAS DE RIO DAS OSTRAS (RJ, BRASIL)
A survey of the Smilax species (Smilacaceae) was conducted in a sandy coastal plain vegetation ("restingas") in Rio das Ostras municipality, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil (22o 31' 37’’ S and 41o 56' 42’’ O). The aim was to identify and catalogue the species of the local flora. Botanical collections, field observations and morphological studies were done for identification, description and botanical illustration of the plant species, also supported by the literature and analysis of Brazilian and foreign herbaria, plus specimens from EAN and JPB herbaria. Five species of Smilax were recorded in the Rio das Ostras municipality: S. hilariana A. De Candolle, S. quinquenervia Vellozo, S. remotinervis Handel-Mazzetti, S. rufescens Grisebach and S. subsessiliflora Duhamel. Of these, four occurred only in Brazil, with exception of S. quinquenervia that occurs also in Peru. The taxonomic treatment includes an illustrated key for identification of the species, commentary on the morphology of the species and on their natural habitats.