The purpose of the present study was to describe the floristic composition and the structure of the arboreal community of a valley-forest in Véu de Noiva waterfalls, Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The floristic and phytosociological analyses aimed at assessing, respectively: (a) the influence of the main Brazilian phytogeographic provinces on the floristic composition of the valley-forest studied, and (b) the role of the most important tree species in terms of abundance, ecological group, and stature at maturity. Every tree with stalk circumference at breast height (CBH) <FONT FACE="Symbol">³</FONT> 15 cm found within 36 quadrats of 30 x 10 m was sampled. 172 species of trees belonging to 133 genera and 61 families were registered. The floristic profile showed strong links with both the Amazonian and Atlantic (sensu lato) forests, reinforcing the transitional nature of that community. The most important tree species, in terms of value of importance, were also important in other surveys carried out in the region.
Floristic composition; phytosociology; valley forest; Mato Grosso; Brazil
