Twenty two species of the genus Stipa occur in Brazil, all of them in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, twelve in the state of Santa Catarina, seven in the state of Paraná and only one, S. sellowiana Nees ex Trin. & Rupr., in the highlands of "Serra da Mantiqueira", in the state of Minas Gerais. This area is the northern limit of distribution of Stipa in Brazil, as well as of the tribe Stipeae. An analysis of the geographical distribution of the species and maps showing their phytogeographic patterns are provided.
Poaceae; Gramineae; grasses; Stipa; phytogeography
