Analysis of historical botanical reports of species of Fabaceae in Historia Naturalis Brasiliae (1648)

Abstract Historia Naturalis Brasiliae, a reference work for Brazilian natural sciences, contains information on species observed by 17th century naturalists. Among the reports, botanical family Fabaceae deserves to be highlighted among taxa that make up flora due its richness of and economic interest. In this sense, objective present study was retrieve regarding cited in Brasiliae naturalists Piso & Marggraf (1648), with aim identifying potential resources conjunction local knowledge about today how historical changes have influenced use these plant resources. Documentary data were analyzed original source Pickel’s 2008 review (Flora do Nordeste Brasil). The organized database qualitatively quantitatively. analysis recovered 49 belonging work. Of total, 33 two genera had their mentioned work, reports which subdivided into four categories, highest percentage being category medicinal (69.23%). plants reported use, 18 one genus no records contemporary works. analyses presented here contribute expanding Fabaceae, recovery from past centuries, discussion influence factors cause patterns, thus enriching studies field botany, particularly ethnobotany.