The Espinhaço Range in the Minas Gerais State comprises a group of mountains that ranges between the limits of 20°21'56" S and 43°26'02" W (Mariana) and 14°58'54" S and 42°30'10" W (Minas Gerais/Bahia state line). We conducted a floristic survey of vascular plant species associated with wetlands in ten areas, using a 5 × 50 m transect in each area. Fifty three families, 126 genera and 224 species were represented. Families with highest species richness were: Cyperaceae (17.86%), Poaceae (10.27%), Asteraceae (7.14%) Eriocaulaceae (4.91%), and Melastomataceae (4.91%). Cluster analysis showed higher similarity between environments of rivers and lakes geographically closer, but the Mantel test for all areas was not significant (P = 0.17). The large number of unique species influenced the high value of the estimator "Jacknife" (341.9). The São Francisco River basin was the richest in species number (116). Environments sampled showed different plant communities, which reflect their floristic peculiarities.
aquatic macrophytes; floristic; wetlands
