Abstract
Studies that address the floristic composition of the Atlantic forest show that Myrtaceae is one of the richest families in number of tree species. In Southern Brazil, Myrtaceae is present mainly in forest formations, such as broadleaf rain forests and broadleaf cloud forests, mixed needle and broadleaf forests (Araucaria forests), and seasonal semi-deciduous forests. The objective of this study was to survey the Myrtaceae of the upper highlands of São Joaquim National Park, to contribute with the knowledge of its flora. Eight genera and 16 species of Myrtaceae were found: Acca sellowiana, Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Eugenia handroi, Myrceugenia (8 spp.): M. acutata, M. alpigena, M. euosma, M. miersiana, M. myrcioides, M. oxysepala, M. pilotantha, and M. regnelliana, Myrcia (2 spp.): M. aethusa and M. hartwegiana, Myrrhinium atropurpureum, Psidium salutare, and Siphoneugena reitzii. Descriptions, illustrations, an identification key and commentaries are presented. Other studies about Myrtaceae in highland areas of Southern Brazil present Myrceugenia as the richest genus in species, while other mentioned genera were not registered in SJNP upper highlands. The family’s richness patterns and diversity in a local and regional scale should be better investigated in the Atlantic Forest.
Key words:
floristic composition; mixed forest; Myrceugenia; taxonomy; Urubici
