A Synopsis of the family Sphagnaceae in Brazil

by Denise Pinheiro da Costa

144 pp.

May 2021

ISBN 978-1-943751-11-2

Abstract: The genus Sphagnum L. is considered to comprise ca. 300 species globally, with ca. 160 found in tropical America; South America is considered a center of diversity. A revision of the Brazilian species of the Sphagnaceae resulted in the recognition of one genus and 70 accepted species distributed among six subgenera, Acutifolia, Cuspidata, Rigida, Sphagnum, Squarrosa, and Subsecundum, with 44 taxa considered endemic to Brazil. Thirteen new synonyms are presented. Lectotypes are designated for Sphagnum amoenum, S. brachybolax, and S. globicephalum. An illustrated key is presented for all Brazilian species of the family Sphagnaceae by subgenera; the vegetation types in which each species occurs, their altitudinal ranges in Brazil, substrate types, world distributions, and additional comments are also presented.