Melastomataceae of the Parque Natural Municipal de São Lourenço, Espírito Santo, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract The Atlantic Forest is one of the diversity centers of Melastomataceae in the world, and studies have been showing the great richness of its species in Espírito Santo, a state that once was entirely covered by this phytogeographic domain. We present here a floristic survey of the species of Melastomataceae in a protected area in this state, the Municipal Natural Park of São Lourenço, located at the municipality of Santa Teresa. We also present an identification key for the species, detailed descriptions, comments on distribution, habitat and phenology, photographs and illustrations. A thorough sampling was based on several expeditions during 2019 and 2020; in addition, we analyzed all specimens collected in the area and deposited in the herbaria FLOR, HUEFS, MBM, MBML, NY, RB, UPCB, US and VIES. The family has 10 genera and 56 species in the area, with Miconia having 42 species, Pleroma six and the genera Aciotis, Acisanthera, Bertolonia, Chaetogastra, Henriettea, Meriania, Microlicia and Mouriri represented by only one species each.