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The present study describes and illustrates two newly identified moss species of Brachymenium, endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest of the South and Southeastern regions of Brazil. The first is Brachymenium elimbatum, a medium-sized plant with leaf apex ending in a short to long arista, margins not bordered, plane, entire, costa tapering above and sub-percurrent. The second is Brachymenium sublineare, a medium-sized plant with leaves often asymmetrically curved in the distal half, margins bordered by 1–3 rows of narrow rectangular cells and serrate at distal half, costa short-excurrent, flagelliform branches occasionally present and exostome teeth sub-linear. A key is presented with the most similar Brazilian Brachymenium species.

The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) was established by the Conference of Parties in 2002 to decrease the loss of plant diversity, reduce poverty and contribute to sustainable development. To achieve this overarching goal, the GSPC has established a series of targets, one of which is to ensure that plant diversity is well understood, so that it can be effectively conserved and used in a sustainable manner. Brazil hosts more than 46,000 species of plants, algae and fungi, representing one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, and playing a key role in the GSPC. To meet the GSPC goals of Target 1 and facilitate access to plant diversity, Brazil committed to preparing the List of Species of the Brazilian Flora (2008-2015) and the Brazilian Flora 2020 (2016-present). Managing all the information associated with such great biodiversity has proven to be an extremely challenging task. Here, we synthesize the history of these projects, focusing on the multidisciplinary and collaborative approach adopted to develop and manage the inclusion of all the knowledge generated though digital information systems. We further describe the methods used, challenges faced, and strategies adopted, as well as summarize advances to date and prospects for completing the Brazilian flora in 2020.

El sotobosque es un componente de gran relevancia para la flora y estructura de los bosques tropicales. Los ambientes montañosos, a través de factores físicos, pueden reflejar diferencias en la estructura y composición de este estrato. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar si existe una correlación entre la pendiente del terreno y la comunidad de plantas del sotobosque. Se analizó una zona de transición entre la Floresta Ombrófila densa y la Selva de Araucaria en el Bosque Atlántico en el sur de Brasil. Se delimitaron 63 parcelas de 1 m², subdivididas por igual entre tres clases de pendiente (0-25%, 40-60% y >80%). Se registraron 93 especies, 63 géneros y 42 familias. Las familias más ricas fueron Myrtaceae (15 especies), Lauraceae (7), Dryopteridaceae (6) y Rubiaceae (5). Las formas de vida más frecuentes fueron arbórea (43 especies), seguido de herbácea (24) y arbustiva (11). Se registraron 58 especies transitorias y 35 residentes. Los índices de riqueza y diversidad no mostraron diferencias significativas entre la estructura y la composición de las clases de pendientes. Los análisis de ordenamiento no distinguieron diferentes grupos para las clases de pendiente. Esto posiblemente se justifica por la homogeneidad ambiental del área muestreada generada por la densidad y regularidad del dosel, la estabilidad climática de la región, el alto contenido de materia orgánica y los suelos superficiales. The understory is a component of great relevance to the flora and structure of tropical forests. Mountain environments, through physical factors, can show differences in the structure and composition of this stratum. We aimed to analyze whether there is a correlation between the slope and the understory plant community. A transition area between the Montane Dense Ombrophilous Forest and the Araucaria Forest in the Atlantic Forest in South of Brazil was analyzed. 63 plots of 1 m² were made, being equally subdivided into three slope classes (0-25%, 40-60%, and >80%). 93 species, 63 genera and 42 families were recorded. The richest families were Myrtaceae (15 species), followed by Lauraceae (7), Dryopteridaceae (6), and Rubiaceae (5). The most frequent life forms were arboreal (43 species), followed by herbaceous (24) and shrubby (11). 58 species were transient and 35 were resident. The richness and diversity indices showed no significant differences between the structure and composition of the slope classes. The ordination analysis could not distinguish any slope class grouping. This is possibly justified by the environmental homogeneity of the sampled area created by the density and regularity of the canopy, climatic stability, high organic matter and shallow soil.

× Cyclobotrya amalgamata , a new intergeneric hybrid between Cyclodium meniscioides var. meniscioides and Polybotrya osmundacea, is described and illustrated. It was found in the state of Ceara, northeastern Brazil, growing in a mixed population with both parents. It is morphologically intermediate between its parents and has misshapen sporangia and spores. It represents the second hybrid in ×Cyclobotrya.

× Cyclobotrya telespirensis, a new hybrid and new hybrid fern genus, is described from the margin of the Teles Pires River in southern Brazilian Amazon. The new nothotaxon is derived from the cross between Polybotrya goyazensis and Cyclodium meniscioides var. meniscioides. This is the first report of hybridization between Cyclodium and Polybotrya. It represents a rare instance of an intergeneric hybrid in ferns. We present illustrations, a description, and taxonomic and ecologic comments of the new nothotaxon.

We present a list of species of ferns and lycophytes from Carambeí, a municipality located in Paraná state, southern Brazil. This area, locally known as “Campos Gerais”, presents an intricate mosaic of forests and savannah with several canyons and humid valleys that harbors a rich and unique vegetation in Southern Brazil. In total, we found 129 species (119 ferns and 10 lycophytes), distributed in 18 families and 59 genera, and 20% (26 spp.) of which are endemic to Brazil. The most expressive families were Polypodiaceae (19 spp.), Pteridaceae (18 spp.) and Thelypteridaceae (15 spp.). The most representative genera were Asplenium (8 spp. - 6.2%) and Amauropelta (8 spp - 6.2%). Terrestrial herbs, epiphytes and lithophytes are the most common guild of life forms, successively. The richest environments were woody forest (61% of the species) and herbaceous-shrubby (12%). Arachniodes denticulata, Phlegmariurus flexibilis and P. Heterocarpon are the second record in the “Campos Gerais” region. We also provide photographic plates with diagnostic characters for most of the species. Resumo É apresentada uma listagem de espécies de samambaias e licófitas para o município de Carambeí, localizado no estado do Paraná, Sul do Brasil. Essa área, localmente conhecida como Campos Gerais, apresenta um complexo mosaico de florestas e Cerrado com diversos canyons e vales úmidos e comporta uma vegetação rica e singular no Sul do Brasil. No total, foram registradas 129 espécies (119 samambaias e 10 licófitas), distribuídas em 18 famílias e 59 gêneros, sendo 20% (26 spp.) endêmicas do Brasil. As famílias mais expressivas são Polypodiaceae (19 spp.), Pteridaceae (18 spp.) e Thelypteridaceae (15 spp.). Os gêneros mais representativos foram Asplenium (8 spp. - 6,2%) e Amauropelta (8 spp. - 6,2%). As guildas de formas de vida mais comuns são ervas terrícolas, epífitas e rupícolas, sucessivamente. Os ambientes mais ricos foram os florestais (61% das espécies) e os herbáceo-arbustivos (12%). Arachniodes denticulata, Phlegmariurus flexibilis e P. heterocarpon foram registradas pela segunda vez para a região dos Campos Gerais. São fornecidas pranchas fotográficas com caracteres diagnósticos para a maioria das espécies.

Polybotrya (Dryopteridaceae) is a genus of Neotropical endemic ferns that exhibits diverse growth forms and often plays important ecological roles in tropical forests. The genus is composed of about 35 species, yet the taxonomy of some groups of species in the genus is poorly understood. In this work we present the first detailed taxonomic treatment of Polybotrya in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We provide a key, descriptions, comments, conservation status, distribution maps, and illustrations for the ten species found in the Atlantic Forest. Seven species are endemic (P. cylindrica, P. espiritosantensis, P. matosii sp. nov., P. pilosa, P. semipinnata, P. speciosa and P. tomentosa) and three are widespread in Brazil or in the Neotropics (P. goyazensis, P. osmundacea and P. sorbifolia). A new species, Polybotrya matosii, is described, and the name P. tomentosa is reconsidered in this study. Lectotypes are also designated for P. incisa and P. semipinnata.