Selbyana 28(2): 145-149. 2007.

FLORISTIC OF BROMELIACEAE OF THE SERRA DAS ARANHAS, MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

CU\UDIO COELHO DE PAULA * AND Professor of the Department of Vegetation Biology of the Federal University of Vi<;osa, P. H. Holfs Avenue, MG. 36571002. Brazil. Email: [email protected]

ELIDIO ARMANDO EXPOSTO GUAR~ONI Researcher of the Herbarium Serra das Aranhas (HSA), Rosario da Limeira, MG. 36878000. Brazil. Masters degree student of the Department of Vegetable Biology of the Federal University of Vi<;osa, MG, Brazil.

ABSTRACT. This work consists of a floristic assessment of the family Bromeliaceae in Serra das Aranhas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Three subfamilies, 11 genera and 22 species were identified. The OCCUlTence of Nidularium longifiorum was recorded for the first time in the state of Minas Gerais. Most of the 22 species are epiphytes. Two of the species, Quesnelia augusto-coburgii Wawra and Billbergia vittata Brong., are included in the list of endangered species of Minas Gerais. An analytical key is also presented for the identification of the species occurring in Serra das Aranhas. This work provides data to expand the know­ ledge on Bromeliaceae in the areas of the Atlantic Rainforest domain in Minas Gerais.

Key words: Bromeliaceae, Serra das Aranhas, Atlantic Rainforest, floristic, Brazil

RESUMO. 0 presente trabalho consiste num levantamento florfstico da Familia Bromeliaceae na Serra das Aranhas, Minas Gerais. Foram identificadas tres subfamilias, 11 generos e 22 especies. A ocorrencia do taxon Nidularium longifiorum foi registrado pela primeira vez para 0 estado de Minas Gerais. A maioria das 22 especies apresenta habito ep{fito. Duas especies encontradas, Quesnelia augusto-coburgii Wawra e Billbergia vittata Brong., constam na lista de especies amea<;:adas da flora de Minas Gerais. Tambem e apresentada uma chave analitica para a identifica<;:ao das especies ocorrentes na Serra das Aranhas. As informa<;:oes deste trabalho fornecem dados para a amplia<;:ao do conhecimento das Bromeliaceae nas areas de dominio de Mata Atlantica de Minas Gerais.

Palavras-chave: Bromeliaceae, Serra das Aranhas, Mata Atlantica, Florfstica, Brasil

INTRODUCTION of variations in microclimate, which also con­ tribute to the vegetation diversity. The studied area is located among the munic­ In spite of a great part of the Serra das Ar­ ipal districts of Rosario da Limeira, Ervalia, Mu­ anhas having suffered a strong intervention from riae and Sao Sebastiao da Vargem Alegre, be­ agricultural activity, it still contains a consider­ tween the parallels 2lo55'S and 21°00'S and the able forested area, largely constituted by sec­ meridians 42°35'W and 42°32'W, a part of the ondary formations in advanced stages of suc­ Serra da Mantiqueira, located in the southern cession. The primary forest formations can be portion of that mountain chain which forms the observed in the higher elevations to 1000 m in Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro (State areas with difficult access. At the top of the Park of the Brigadier's Mountain), but beyond mountain, the rupestrial formations are repre­ the limits of that park. Climatically the mountain sented by extensive rock outcrops. Inside of the has an annual medium temperature of 23°C and forest domain, rocky formations can also be an annual median precipitation of 1.564 mm. Its found, usually associated with small rivulets. vegetation type belongs to the complex of the The diversity of microclimates on this moun­ Atlantic forest, denominated Tropical Pluvial tain provided the establishment of a considerable Forest Evergreen of the South Plateau (ENGE­ number of species of epiphytic and rupicolous VIX 1995). The mountain has an altitude range plants, especially of the Bromeliaceae family. In of 800 to 1,400 m. The topography, together spite of that diversity, only the family Orchida­ with the hydrographic net, determines a series ceae has been studied until now (Guar<;oni & Paula 2001). Considering that many bromeliad species * Corresponding author. form a fundamental microhabitat for the conser- 145 146 SELBYANA Volume 28(2) 2007 vation of countless animal and plant species in RESULTS AND DISCUSSION this ecosystem, this floristic survey was done In the Serra das Aranhas the family Brome­ with the objective of identifying the diversity of potential host species and their ecological re­ liaceae is represented by three subfamilies, eleven genera, and twenty-two species. One quirements. species belongs to the subfamily Pitcaimioi­ deae-Pitcaimia flammea Lindl.; seven to the MATERIAL AND METHODS subfamily Tillandsioideae-Alcantarea extensa (L.B.Sm.) J.R.Grant, Tillandsia geminiflora Brongn., Tillandsia stricta Sol. ex Ker Gawl., This floristic survey of Bromeliaceae family Vriesea ensiformis (VeIl.) Beer, Vriesea guttata in the Serra das Aranhas was accomplished Linden & Andre, Vriesea heterostachys (Baker) through monthly visits during two years, 2000 L.B.Sm., and Vriesea longicaulis (Baker) Mez; and 2001, along trails that included the largest and fourteen to subfamily Bromelioideae­ possible area of each vegetation formation, es­ Aechmea pineliana (Brongn. ex Planch.) Baker, pecially of the hillside forest and rupestrian veg­ Aechmea nudicaulis (L.) Griseb., Aechmea or­ etation of the rocky outcrops. Observations con­ ganensis Wawra, Aechmea ramosa Mart. ex cerning the phenology, pollination, habit, and Schult. & Schult. f., Billbergia euphemiae light requirements of bromeliads in the whole E.Morren, Billbergia lymanii E.Pereira & area were made. Leme, Billbergia vittata Brongn. ex Morel, Ed­ The collected specimens were pressed and mundoa lindenii (Regel) Leme, Neoregelia si­ dried in the Serra das Aranhas's Herbarium. The mulans L.B.Sm., Nidularium antoineanum Wa­ identification was based on morphologic com­ wra, Nidularium longiflorum UIe, Quesnelia parison using as basic references Smith and quesneliana (Brongn.) L.B.Sm., Quesnelia au­ Downs (1974, 1977, 1979), Reitz (1983), and gusto-coburgii Wawra, and Wittrockia gigantea Paula (1998), in comparison with identified ma­ (Baker) Leme) (TABLE 1). terial in the herbarium of the Federal University Of the subfamilies found in the Serra das Ar­ of Vi~osa (VIC), and determinations by special­ anhas, the subfamily Pitcairnioideae is the least ists. At the end of the work an analytical key representative, with a single species: Pitcaimia was developed for the identification of the spe­ flammea. In nearby mountains, such as the Serra cies of Bromeliaceae found in the Serra das Ar­ do Brigadeiro, the subfamily is represented by anhas. other taxa, like Dyckia weddelliana Baker, Pit­ The phenological data are based on the her­ caimia carinata Mez, and Pitcairnia decidua barium observations and are presented in TABLE 2. L.B.Sm. (Paula 1998).

IDENTIFICATION KEY FOR THE SPECIES OF BROMELIACEAE FROM THE SERRA DAS ARANHAS, MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

Superior ovary (or semi-inferior); fruit a capsule; seeds with appendages. 2 Seeds with plumose appendages. 3 Petal appendages present. 4 Seeds with a basal coma. 5 Red, orange, or yellow floral bracts; stamens exserted. 6 Erect or suberect scape. 7 Scape short (19-23 cm); floral bract imbricate ...... Vriesea heterostachys 7' Scape long (ca. 25-98 cm); floral bracts not imbricate ..... Vriesea ensiformes 6' Scape decurved ...... Vriesea guttata 5' Brown floral bracts; stamens included ...... Vriesea longicaulis 4' Seeds with basal coma and apical extensions ...... Alcantarea extensa 3' Petal appendages absent. 8 Compound inflorescence ...... Tillandsia geminiflora 8' Simple inflorescence ...... Tillandsia stricta 2' Seeds with caudate appendages ...... Pitcairnia flammea l' Inferior ovary; fruit a berry; seeds without appendices. 9 Inflorescence with long scape (21-65 cm), exserted from the rosette. 10 Asymmetrical sepals, apiculate. 11 Simple inflorescence. 12 Plants with rhizomes; inflorescence laxly flowered ...... Aechmea nudicaulis 12' Plants without rhizomes; inflorescence densely flowered ...... Aechmea pineliana 11' Compound inflorescence. DE PAULA & GUAR<;ONI: SERRA DAS ARANHAS BROMELIACEAE 147

TABLE 1. List of species that occur in Serra das Aranhas, Minas Gerais, with the classification of habit and preference for intensity of solar light.

Classification of the taxon in related: Preference for intensity Taxon Habit of solar light Subfamily Pitcairnioideae Pitcairnia flammea Rupicole Heliophyte Subfamily Bromelioideae Aechmea pineliana Terrestrial Skiophyte Aechmea nudicaulis Epiphyte Skiophyte Aechmea organensis Epiphyte Skiophyte Aechmea ramosa Epiphyte Skiophyte or heliophyte Billbergia euphemiae Epiphyte, rupicole or terrestrial Skiophyte Billbergia lymanii Epiphyte, rupicole or terrestrial Skiophyte Billbergia vittata Epiphyte, rupicole, terrestrial Skiophyte or heliophyte Edmundoa lindenii Epiphyte Skiophyte Neoregelia simulans Epiphyte Skiophyte Nidularium antoineanum Epiphyte Skiophyte Nidularium longiflorum Epiphyte Skiophyte Quesnelia quesneliana Rupicole Skiophyte Quesnelia augusto-coburgii Rupicole Skiophyte Wittrockia gigantea Epiphyte Skiophyte or heliophyte Subfamily Tillandsioideae Alcantarea extensa Rupicole Heliophyte Tillandsia geminiflora Epiphyte Skiophyte Tillandsia stricta Epiphyte Heliophyte Vriesea ensiformes Epiphyte Heliophyte Vriesea guttata Epiphyte Skiophyte Vriesea heterostachys Epiphyte Skiophyte Vriesea longicaulis Epiphyte Skiophyte

13 Leaves densely spiny; many flowers; yellow petals ...... Aechmea ramosa 13' Leaves laxly spiny; few flowers; blue petals ...... Aechmea organensis 10' Symmetrical sepals, not apiculate. 14 Floral bracts congested; flowers actinomorphic; with included stamens. 15 Erect inflorescence ...... Quesnelia quesneliana 15' Decurved inflorescence ...... Quesnelia augusto-coburgii 14' Floral bracts lax; flowers zygomorphic; with exserted stamens. 16 Simple inflorescence. 17 Decurved scape; scape bracts rose; elliptic floral bracts .... Billbergia euphemiae 17' Erect scape; scape bracts rose, triangular floral bracts ...... Billbergia lymanii 16' Compound inflorescence ...... Billbergia vittata 9' Inflorescence with a short scape (4-15 cm), included in the rosette. 18 Plants with stolons; petal appendages absent. 19 Scape short, inflorescence completely enclosed by the leaf sheaths; petals spreading ...... Neoregelia simulans 19' Scape shorter than to exceeding the leaf-sheaths, inflorescence exposed; petals erect. 20 White and green petals ...... Nidularium longiflorum 20' Blue petals ...... Nidularium antoineanum 18' Plants without stolons; petal appendages present. 21 Scape densely brown lanuginous; tripinnate inflorescence; pink primary bracts ...... Edmundoa lindenii 21' Scape not lanuginous; bipinnate inflorescence; red primary bracts .... Wittrockia gigantea

Of the total twenty-two studied species, four­ larium longiflorum, Wittrockia gigantea, Til­ teen were found to be exclusively epiphytic landsia geminiflora, Tillandsia stricta, Vriesea (Aechmea nudicaulis, Aechmea organensis, ensiformis, Vriesea guttata, Vriesea heterostach­ Aechmea ramosa, Edmundoa lindenii, Neore­ ys, and Vriesea longicaulis); four were rupico­ gelia simulans, Nidularium antoineanum, Nidu- lous (Alcantarea extensa, Pitcairnia jiammea, 148 SELBYANA Volume 28(2) 2007

TABLE 2. Phenology data of the species of Bromeliaceae of the Serra das Aranhas based on herbarium records.

TaxonIMonth of year 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Subfamily Pitcaimioideae Pitcairnia flammea X X X Subfamily Bromelioideae Aechmea pineliana X Aechmea nudicaulis X Aechmea organensis X X X Aechmea ramosa X Billbergia euphemiae X X X X X Billbergia lymanii X X Billbergia vittata X Edmundoa lindenii X Neoregelia simulans X Nidularium antoine anum X Nidularium longiflorum X Quesnelia quesneliana X Quesnelia augustocoburgii X X Wittrockia gigantea X Subfamily Tillandsioideae Alcantarea extensa X X Tillandsia geminiflora X X Tillandsia stricta X Vriesea ensiformes X Vriesea guttata X Vriesea heterostachys X X X Vriesea longicaulis X

Quesnelia quesneliana, Quesnelia augusto-cob­ tion in Minas Gerais. The species Quesnelia au­ urgii); and one was terrestrial (Aechmea pineli­ gusto-coburgii is mentioned as vulnerable due ana). Three species (Billbergia euphemiae, Bill­ to its restricted distribution area. Billbergia vit­ bergia lyman ii, and Billbergia vittata) presented tata is mentioned as presumably threatened due more than one life style and were growing as to lack of information on its conservation status epiphytes, rupicoles, or terrestrials. in nature. As for the preference for light intensity, fif­ Bromeliaceae utilize several types of pollina­ teen species are strictly skiophytes, four helio­ tion vectors, mainly hummingbirds (Benzing phytes, and three can be observed growing in 1980). Of the species from the genus Vriesea variable light levels (TABLE 1). found in the Serra das Aranhas, Vriesea longi­ Vriesea heterostachys is the most abundant caulis belongs to section Xiphion, with nocturnal taxon on this mountain, always sciophytic and pollinators, especially bats; the remaining have always in the lower stratum of the forest areas. diurnal pollinators. Billbergia euphemiae was The same distribution type can be attributed to observed being pollinated by the hummingbird Vriesea longicaulis. Phaethornis pretei. In the Serra das Aranhas, Vriesea guttata pre­ The phenology analysis of Bromeliaceae of sents two types of variations in relation to the size of its inflorescence: a longer, common type; the Serra das Aranhas (TABLE 2) shows that the and a shorter one, not that common. The same largest number of species bloom in the most hu­ variation in the size of the inflorescence was ob­ mid months of the year, between November and served by Paula (1998) in the Serra do Brigad­ April, which guarantees a greater efficiency in eiro. pollination, since Bromeliaceae are one of the Nidularium longiflorum was collected for the most important sources of available nectar in the first time in Minas Gerais. This species was ob­ tropical forests (Sluys & Stotz 1995). The great served as epiphyte and sciophyte in the forest diversity of elevation and, consequently, of mi­ areas in small quantities at 1000 m altitude. croc1ime, may be responsible for the longer Of the studied species Quesnelia augusto­ blooming season of the species Aechmea orga­ coburgii and Billbergia vittata are mentioned in nensis, Billbergia euphemiae, Pitcairnia jlam­ the Red List of Species Threatened by Extinc- mea, and Vriesea heterostachys, since these spe- DE PAULA & GUAR<;ONI: SERRA DAS ARANHAS BROMELIACEAE 149 cies possess a wide distribution in the Serra das Doctor Maria Regina Posch Andreata (USU-RJ/ Aranhas. JBRJ) for the manuscript revisions, and the Cen­ In the transitional area between the Atlantic ter for Research and Conservation of Bromeli­ forest and the rocky outcrops, significant chang­ aceae-UPCB. es in the humidity level and light intensity occur. We also thank the students of the State School In the areas of rocky outcrops the populations Conego Americo Duarte, especially Nauto Rod­ of Pitcairniafiammea are abundant. This species rigues da Silva, in Rosano da Limeira-MG, who grows associated with Poaceae and Orchidaceae frequently participated in the field activities to (Zygopetalum sp.). In these areas also occur ex­ gain understanding of the importance of the Bro­ tensive populations of Alcantarea with hundreds meliaceae in the maintenance of the ecosystems. of rosettes that together create a favorable phy­ totelm habitat for many species of the local fau­ na. LITERATURE CITED Associated too with the rocky outcrops are ar­ eas of scrub vegetation which, according to Riz­ Benzing, D.H. 1980. The Biology of Bromeliads. Mad zini (1979), is characterized by bushes and small River Press, California. trees densely spaced and growing to about 2 m ENGEVIX. 1995. Caracteriza~ao do meio ffsico da tall. In the Serra das Aranhas, scrub has suffered area autorizada para a cria~ao do Parque Estadual severe degradation due to the occurrence of da Serra do Brigadeiro. [s.1.: s.n.]. Nao paginado. fires. Its current regeneration state still does not (Relatorio tecnico final dos estudos, 8296-RG-H4- allow much recolonization by Bromeliaceae. 003/94, "Ver.1 "). The Serra das Aranhas has suffered intense Guar~oni, E.A.E. and C.C. Paula. 2001. Contribui~ao degradation in many places but still preserves ao estudo das Orchidaceae da Serra das Aranhas, forests in a primary stage. In these areas, epi­ Minas Gerais, Brasil. Boletim do Herbario Serra phytisIll reaches the IllaxiIllUIll level; the faITIily das Aranhas 2:6-9. BroIlleliaceae is the IllOSt representative in quan­ Mendon~a, M.P. and L.v. Lins. 2000. Lista vermelha titative terms, but the families Orchidaceae, Ar­ das especies ameat;adas de extint;ao da flora de aceae, Cactaceae, and Amaryllidaceae also oc­ Minas Gerais. Funda~ao Biodiversitas, Funda~ao cur frequently. Zoo-Botiinica de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte. Buruing is very common in this area, espe­ Paula, c.c. 1998. "Florfstica da Familia Bromeliaceae cially during winter time, when the pastures are no Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro, Minas Gerais, Brasil." Rio Claro-SP: UNESp, 1998. dry. Many of these fires get out of control, es­ Tese (Doutorada)-Universidade Estadual Paulis­ cape the areas of pasture and reach the forest. tao These repeated wild fires, occurring year after Reitz, R. 1983. Bromelhiceas e a malaria endhnica. year, have contributed to the reduction of the Serie Flora llustrada Catarinense. Parte I. Fasc. Atlantic rainforest, eliminating the habitat of Brom. countless species of animals and plants. Only Rizzini, C.T. 1979. Tratado de Fitogeografia do Brasil, with increased dedication to this problem by the aspectos sociologicos e Florfsticos. Ed. Universi­ government authorities and more serious work dade de Sao Paulo. through environmental education will it be pos­ Sluys, M.V. and D.E Stotz. 1995. Padr5es de visitat;ao sible to preserve the existing genetic patrimony de Vriesea neoglutinosa por beijas-fiores no Es­ on this mountain, still very incompletely known. pirito Santo, sudeste do Brasil. Bromelia 2(3). Taking into account the rising interests in envi­ Smith, L.B. and R.J. Downs. 1974. Pitcairnioideae ronmental subjects, studies like this of the fam­ (Bromeliaceae). Flora Neotropica 14(1): 1-660. ily Bromeliaceae in Serra das Aranhas can favor The New York Botanical Garden, New York. the preservation of this Atlantic forest fragment. ---. 1977. Tillandsioideae (Bromeliaceae). Flora Neotropica 14(2): 661-1492. The New York Bo­ tanical Garden, New York. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ---. 1979. Bromelioideae (Bromeliaceae). Flora The authors thank the taxonomist Elton M. C. Neotropica 14(3): 1493-2142. The New York Bo­ Leme for his assistance with identifications, tanical Garden, New York.