"Sempre-vivas" is the name given in Brazil to parts of plants, usually scapes and inflorescences, that conserve the appearance of the living structures even after dryed out (everlasting). They are sold locally and exported for interior decoration. In a smaller scale, leaves, fruits and seeds are also used. "Sempre-vivas" species are gathered in the savanna-like formations ("cerrados") of the Central-West and Southeast regions of Brazil, while species of greater commercial value originate from the grasslands with rocky outcrops ("campos rupestres") from the States of Minas Gerais, Bahia and Goiás. Species of Eriocaulaceae, Poaceae (Gramineae), Xyridaceae, Cyperaceae and Rapateaceae predominate in a decreasing order. The largest commercial center for this material is the city of Diamantina, in the State of Minas Gerais, where 25 species of Eriocaulaceae, 12 of Poaceae, 9 of Xyridaceae, 2 of Cyperaceae and 1 of Rapateaceae are commercialized. Identification keys for the genera based on characters found in the commercialized parts, brief descriptions, illustrations, list of the analysed material, popular names and comments on the species are presented.
Everlasting plants; Eriocaulaceae; Poaceae (Gramineae); Xyridaceae; Cyperaceae; Rapateaceae; Brazil