Acianthera Scheidw. is a genus of Orchidaceae Juss. composed of approximately 300 species, nearly half of which occur in Brazil. To date, only eight species of the genus have been recorded from the Brazilian Amazon. A recent botanical excursion to Serra do Divisor National Park in the state of Acre, in the extreme western portion of the Brazilian Amazon, resulted in the discovery of two new species of Acianthera: A. amazonica Marcusso sp. nov. and A. nukiniana Marcusso sp. nov. Here, we describe these new species and present photographs, illustrations, taxonomic notes and comments on their morphological relationships, and environmental preferences. In addition we assign the conservation status and provide a geographic distribution map, as well as an identification key for Acianthera species from the Brazilian Amazon.

Allamanda is a Neotropical genus of Apocynaceae consisting of shrubs, treelets or scandent plants usually with verticillate leaves and intrapetiolar colleters, showy flowers, foliaceous sepals, corolla tubular-campanulate, usually yellow or sometimes purple, violet, lilac to red, cream, salmon, and dehiscent capsular fruits characterized by echinate, smooth or muricate surfaces. During field expeditions in the limestone outcrops of Tocantins State in central Brazil this new species was discovered. Herein we describe Allamanda karstica, a unique species in the genus due to its smooth fruit surface with spines limited to dehiscing fissures. Color photographs, a distribution map, preliminary conservation assessment, morphological comparisons with the related species, as well as an identification key to Allamanda occurring in limestone outcrops of Brazil are presented herein.

Abstract: Ulmaceae is a pantropical family of Urticales order, represented in Brazilian flora by two genera and six species. In the Amazonas State, Ducke Reserve represents one of the most studied places in the Amazon, where the ongoing project “Flora da Reserva Ducke” has been carried out. Here we aimed to present the taxonomic treatment of Ulmaceae of the Ducke Reserve. The study is based on the morphological analysis of materials deposited in herbaria and a literature review. A single species, Ampelocera edentula Kuhlm., is recorded in the area. This taxon is described, and information on its habitat, phenology, geographic distribution, and image of the species are provided.

Piper cunianense is described herein as a shrub with stems puberulent to glabrescent, leaves lanceolate and shiny on the adaxial surface when alive, with petioles vaginate to base of the blade. The spikes are pendulous with flowers arranged in a banded pattern around the rachis, floral bracts peltate and densely fimbriate, with fruits wide-obovoid, and deeply 3-sulcate. Piper cunianense is only known from the Cuni & atilde; Ecological Station and neighboring region, in the State of Rond & ocirc;nia, Brazil. Illustration, color photograph, distribution map, and morphological comparisons with similar species are presented.

During an ongoing monograph of Piperaceae from the Ducke Reserve in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, two unknown climbing species of Piper were discovered and are here described, illustrated, compared to similar species; an identification key to the climbing species of Piper of Brazil is also provided. Piper naiadense is characterized by pubescent parts with down-curved trichomes, elliptic to lanceolate leaf lamina that have an acute base and acuminate apex and with 4 to 5 pairs of secondary veins arising along the lower half of the midrib, short inflorescences (1.1–1.5 cm long), a pilose rachis, and sessile, crescent-shaped floral bracts. Piper paulobocanum is glabrous except for the pilose abaxial side of the lamina, which are lanceolate to ovate, black-dotted, with an obtuse base and an attenuate apex with 9 to 10 secondary veins arising along the entire midrib, inflorescences that are 2.8–4 cm long, with an apiculum, glabrous rachis, and stipitate, crescent-shaped floral bracts, that are pilose along the margin and on the stalk, and with a keel along the upper side.

Community assemblies in tropical forests are influenced by both environmental filtering and anthropogenic disturbance processes, posing significant challenges in ecological research. To disentangle these complex effects, we applied species-level and phylogenetic approaches to a dataset of 14,500 tree individuals from 310 species across eight communities in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, including both undisturbed and selectively logged plots along an elevational gradient. Using rarefaction and ordination analyses, and node-based assessments of species distributions—with and without tree ferns—we investigated how selective logging influences community assembly across elevations and whether its effects vary among evolutionary lineages. Selective logging had a stronger impact on tree communities at lower elevations, suggesting that their species assembly and phylogenetic structure are more susceptible to the same anthropogenic disturbance in montane communities. Regarding clade-based perspective, Cyatheaceae and Magnoliids were over-represented in montane forests and Fabidae and Myrtaceae in submontane forests, yet disturbance markedly reduced Fabidae in submontane areas, decreased Magnoliids in both forest types, and led to a significant decline of Myrtaceae in disturbed montane forests. In general, we underscore that species clades varied in their responses to environmental and anthropogenic filters, highlighting the necessity for clade-specific analyses to enhance our understanding of community assembly processes and improve conservation strategies. By recognizing the differential responses of tree species clades, conservation efforts can be better tailored to address the unique challenges faced by different species and clades. This approach can contribute to more effective and sustainable management of tropical forest ecosystems in the face of ongoing environmental and anthropogenic changes.

ABSTRACT Vascular epiphytes comprise a characteristic habit of tropical forest, representing an important part of the plant richness and ecological functions of these forests. In Brazil, studies regarding the vascular epiphytes in the Atlantic Forest (AF) has increased in the last years, however, some areas still have gaps of knowledge, like the Duas Bocas Biological Reserve (DBBR) in Espírito Santo State (ES) State, in Southeastern Brazil. In the eastern slopes of the mountainous region of the ES, there is the DBBR, a protected area comprising the main forest remnants of about 2,910 hectares, where we carried out a floristic checklist of the vascular epiphytes. We recorded 215 species, 92 genera, and 18 families, indicating the DBBR as one of the richest areas of the AF. The main families (Orchidaceae, Bromeliaceae, Polypodiaceae, and Araceae) and genera recorded (Aechmea, Peperomia, and Pabstiella) agree with the patterns founded in the AF. Ten species are threatened at national level and 38 at state level; also 13 species recorded are classified as Data Deficient for the ES.

Inselbergs, isolated rock outcrops, support unique plant communities. Maritime inselbergs (MIs) experience transient isolation due to maritime fluctuations, creating harsh survival conditions. This study is the first to investigate the plant communities' patterns on MIs, comparing them with those on continental inselbergs (CIs). We explore how oceanic filtering and climatic factors shape species and phylogenetic diversity, the threatened statuses of the species, and the impact of extinction scenarios on phylogenetic diversity and structure. MIs and CIs in the Atlantic Forest of Southeast Brazil. We analyzed species and phylogenetic patterns across 15 inselbergs (nine CIs and six MIs), including new data from Alcatrazes Island. Floristic dissimilarities were assessed using ward's clustering, and species and phylogenetic relationships were explored through NMDS ordination and phylogenetic PCA. Oceanic filtering and climatic factors were evaluated using convex hulls and bioclimatic variable fits. Phylogenetic diversity (PD) and structure, measured as mean pairwise distance (MPD), were assessed, along with species threat status based on the Brazilian Red List. Simulated extinction scenarios, randomly removing 5%–90% of species, were modeled to evaluate effects on phylogenetic metrics. MI species and phylogenetic composition differed significantly from CIs, influenced by oceanic isolation, isothermally, and precipitation seasonality. We found no significant difference in PD between CIs and MIs. Only 11% of the 753 species were shared, with 10% classified as threatened. PD decreased with increasing extinction rates ( p < 0.01, R 2 > 0.7) across all communities. MIs exhibited clustered phylogenetic structures, while CIs showed random structures. Random extinction sharply reduced PD, and phylogenetic structures were disrupted in all communities at 25% extinction. We introduce the concept of MIs, demonstrating that their flora differs significantly from CIs due to oceanic isolation and climatic factors. Although historically connected, geomorphological conditions, subsequent isolation, and environmental filtering by the sea have led to a unique maritime species and phylogenetic composition. Extinction scenarios show significant declines in PD, highlighting these ecosystems' vulnerability. The distinct flora and loss of PD emphasize the need for targeted conservation efforts.

ABSTRACT The Amazon is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet; however, from a botanical perspective, it remains underexplored and understudied. Here, we report distributional novelties from a botanical expedition to the Serra do Divisor which include six new records for the Brazilian flora (Didymoglossum membranaceum, Miconia urticilamina, Pleroma ochypetalum, Piper lagenaebaccum, Piper svenningii and Sanchezia tigrina), and six new records for the State of Acre (Callea montana, Guzmania brasiliensis, Paphinia cristata, Peperomia emarginella, Tovomita maxima, and Uleiorchis ulei), providing images and commentaries for each species. Most of the species are broadly distributed across western Amazonia, but with no previous records in Brazil so far. These new records highlight the relevance and necessity for botanical expeditions to remote areas in the Brazilian Amazon.

Estudos florísticos são a principal ferramenta para o levantamento de dados primários a respeito da composição de espécies da flora nos ecossistemas terrestres. Pequenos remanescentes de vegetação constituem significativa porção do que restou da Mata Atlântica, entretanto, pouco se sabe o que esses remanescentes e áreas particulares protegidas conservam. O presente estudo teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento da flora vascular de um fragmento de vegetação no norte do estado do Paraná. A Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural (RPPN) Mata do Suíço é uma pequena Unidade de Conservação (ca. 3 hectares) localizada no município de Rolândia, em vegetação do tipo Floresta Estacional Semidecidual. Foram realizadas coletas botânicas periódicas entre 2022 e 2023; as amostras foram coletadas e identificadas até a menor categoria taxonômica possível, e tombadas no herbário SHPR, da UTFPR. Foram catalogadas um total de 152 espécies, distribuídas em 123 gêneros e 60 famílias. Desse total, cinco espécies ameaçadas de extinção em nível nacional foram encontradas, três em nível internacional e nove em nível estadual. Os hábitos herbáceo e arbóreo/arborescente foram predominantes, representando 28,9% cada. Os resultados demonstram elevada riqueza de espécies para uma área pequena. A presença de espécies ameaçadas no fragmento também demonstra a importância de pequenos remanescentes para a manutenção e conservação da flora local. Por fim, evidenciamos a importância da conservação de pequenas áreas privadas através do estabelecimento de RPPNs, tanto para os proprietários como para os municípios em que essas áreas estão alojadas.

Peperomia is a mega-diverse herbaceous genus with high species richness in the Neotropics, growing mainly as epiphyte or rupicolous/saxicolous. Fourteen subgenera are recognized based on molecular phylogenies. In this study, contributions to P. subg. Pseudocupula in Brazil are presented. During an ongoing taxonomic revision of P. pereskiifolia and allied taxa in Brazil, some incongruent circumscriptions were found which are discussed here. Peperomia pereirae f. pereirae is proposed as a new synonym of P. rubricaulis, and a new combination and status change of P. pereirae f. hirtulicaule to P. hirtulicaulis is presented. Finally, we confirm the occurrence of Peperomia tetragona in Brazil, which has frequently been misidentified in herbarium collections and overlooked in the country. Taxonomic discussion, color photographs, distributional maps and identification key are presented for the treated taxa.

A new species of bromeliad, Tillandsia uiraretama, is here described and illustrated. Tillandsia uiraretama was discovered during fieldwork on an insular granitic outcrop in southeast Brazil. The proposed taxon belongs to T. subgenus Anoplophytum and is compared to the morphological related T. araujei, T. aeranthos, T. iassuensis, and T. tenuifolia. It differs from them by the unique combination of fertile portion of the inflorescence with 4-7.5 cm long, 8 to 16 flowers per inflorescence, flower length of 3-3.4 cm, floral bract length of 1.7-3.8 cm, petal lilac with 2.7-3.4 cm long and 0.8-0.9 cm wide, stamen length of 1.5-1.9 cm and style length of 1.8 cm. A preliminary conservation assessment classifies T. uiraretama as vulnerable (VU).

Peperomia is known for its remarkable diversity, the Atlantic Forest in Brazil being particularly noteworthy for its high levels of richness and endemism. Floristic research in the Atlantic Forest karst ecosystems has revealed new discoveries in the genus, based on fieldwork and thorough study of herbaria collections. Peperomia dryadica Marcusso is here described and characterised as entirely glabrous except for the distal third of the leaf margins which is ciliolate, light green stems when fresh, alate distal internodes, leaves decussate, opposite or alternate basally and opposite or 3-whorled distally, lamina oblanceolate, obovate or rarely elliptic and nerves sunken adaxially and raised abaxially. Peperomia dryadica is found solely in the Vale do Ribeira region of São Paulo state, in Southeast Brazil, which holds the largest limestone outcrops in the Atlantic Forest.

Based on recent field work on an insular granitic outcrop in southeast Brazil, a new Tillandsia species was collected and described here. Tillandsia alcatrazensis belongs to T. subg. Anoplophytum and is morphologically similar to T. geminiflora, from which it differs by the larger size of the whole plant in flower, larger floral bracts and longer flowers with reddish-salmon sepals and white petals, and longer styles. We present a diagnosis, description, color photographs, illustration, ecological, and phenotypical variation comments, and compares it with the morphologically related species. Tillandsia alcatrazensis is preliminarily classified as Critically Endangered (CR) due to its small and restricted distribution, although the Alcatrazes Island is part of a national protected area.

Abstract Here we present a taxonomic treatment of the subfamily Celastroideae (Celastraceae) in the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil, as a part of the ongoing project Flora do Espírito Santo. The work is based on analyses of herbaria specimens and fieldwork since 2012. Two genera and thirteen species are reported for Espírito Santo, covering all the vegetation formations found in the state. Celastrus is represented by one species, C. liebmannii, the unique climbing species of the subfamily in Brazil. Monteverdia are shrubs and trees characterized by fruits 2-valved, pericarp coriaceous and white aril. The genus is represented by twelve species, corresponding nearly to one third of the Brazilian species. Celastrus liebmannii is formally reported by the first time to Espírito Santo. Morphological descriptions, comments, color photographs plates, and identification keys for genera and Monteverdia species are provided.

The Neotropical Region (NR) is one of the areas with the most plant diversity globally, and its richness of vascular epiphyte (VE) species is higher than Africa and Asia combined. This richness is a consequence of the heterogeneous climate and geological history of the region, both factors also being responsible for the plant distribution patterns. Here, we aimed to explore the phytogeographic relationships of the VE in the NR using 14,636 identified records from 173 surveys exclusively of VE, carried out in 14 countries and 23 biogeographic provinces, comprising 3849 identified species. We assessed the floristic patterns and relationships with climatic variables by multivariate analysis (cluster and ordination analyses). The clustering formed 13 main groups, partly corresponding to the biogeographic units of the NR. Our results demonstrate consistent floristic patterns confirmed through the analysis of floristic similarity, corroborating previous biogeographic classifications in well-studied areas, while broader patterns were found in poorly studied areas. We found a floristic gradient pattern, which allowed us to understand the relationships between environmental conditions and floristic patterns. Furthermore, we discuss our results under the light of the history that likely shaped the current distribution patterns and richness of the VE in the NR. The VE proved to be an important model for testing biogeographic classifications. We encourage the studies of this synusia in the several geographical gaps that remain in the NR, which undoubtedly will improve further studies and support conservationist policies.

Swidden agricultural practices reflect a great deal of Indigenous and traditional ethnobotanical knowledge; however, such system and livelihoods are in decline worldwide and tend to disappear. This study aimed to survey the main characteristics of land use and agrobiodiversity of the swidden culture practiced by the Guaraní, in Serra do Mar (São Paulo state, Southeast Brazil). We likewise studied the socioeconomic and cultural characteristics of the Guaraní, focusing specifically on their ethnobotanical knowledge, to help conserve traditional agricultural practices in the deep tropics. A total of eighteen ethnobotanical surveys were carried out on 18 production units (10 × 10 m) in the cultivation phase after combustion took place. All species of agricultural use were indicated by the smallholders and identified to species level. Semi-structured interviews based on the design and diagnosis method World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) were carried out in either Portuguese or the native language with 48 smallholders in the village. Main topics discussed were the history of each sampled plot, socio-economic aspects of the production units, aspects of agricultural management to characterize the level of intensification, and forms of managing vegetation and criteria for making decisions about the maintenance of wild species in the agricultural plots. The ethnobotanical survey showed 65 varieties of plants for agricultural use, totaling 39 species, they are used for cultural-ritualistic, ecological, food, economic, medicinal, and ornamental aspects. Main crops found were corn ( Zea mays ), potato ( Solanum tuberosum ) and peanut ( Arachis hypogaea ). Fire is vital for Guarani’s agricultural practices. Fields are small and occupy just 0.25% of the indigenous land. The Guaraní’s traditional agroforest systems are independent of external inputs and are important for conservation of seeds and agrobiodiversity. There are three factors that maintain the dynamics of Guarani’s agricultural systems, namely: religiosity, the network of kinships and the existence of legal owned territories. Swidden and slash and mulch systems are part of the maintenance of the cultural autonomy of the Guaraní, providing them with a way to obtain financial and food resources directly and indirectly from the biome in a sustainable way. Hence, protecting this ethnoecology guarantees the cultural, physical, and social existence of the Guaraní and likewise helps to conserve the remnants of the Atlantic Forest hotspot.