Machado & Neto 2010 (Article) Bromeliaceae, Brazil

Bromeliaceæ de um campo de altitude no sul de Minas Gerais (Brasil)

Author(s):—T. Mota Machado & L. Menini Neto

Publication:—Fontqueria 56(11): 109-124. (2010)

Abstract:—High grasslands are complex environments that feature a rich flora with a high degree of endemism, particularly for Bromeliaceæ. The Serra da Pedra Branca is located in the municipality of Caldas, southern region of Minas Gerais, part of the geomorphologic region of “Planalto Dissecado do Sul de Minas”, extending over 368 ha of the “Santuário Ecológico da Pedra Branca”. The predominant vegetation types are montane and high montane semideciduous seasonal forests and “campos de altitude” (high altitude grasslands). A survey carried out in Serra da Pedra Branca between March 2008 and February 2009 revealed the occurrence of 14 species of Bromeliaceæ, belonging to six genera: Tillandsia (six spp.), Vriesea (three spp.), Æchmea (two spp.), Billbergia, Bromelia and Wittrockia (with one sp. each). Most of the species are distributed between 1400 and 1700 m of altitude, however, the larger populations are found above 1700 m, comprising Æchmea distichantha, Vriesea sceptrum and Wittrockia cyathiformis. Descriptions of species, identification key, illustrations and ecological, taxonomic and geographic distribution comments are presented.
Keywords: High altitude grassland, Atlantic forest, taxonomy, southern Minas Gerais.

Keywords:—High altitude grassland, Atlantic forest, taxonomy, southern Minas Gerais