ABSTRACT
The Serra da Pedra Branca (SPB) is located in the southern part of the of Minas Gerais State, in the municipality of Caldas (21°8’-21°55’S and 46°24’-46°22’W). Inserted in the Atlantic Domain and considered a priority area for the flora conservation in Minas Gerais, SPB is a remarkable component of the local landscape relief,, with elevations ranging from 1100 to 1780 m.s.m. State It presents a mosaic composed of high altitude fields (which occupies the largest extent), Montane Semi-deciduous Forest, Dense High-Montane Ombrophilous Forest, and Mixed Ombrophilous Forest. The family Gesneriaceae is represented in the SPB by five species of the genus Sinningia: S. aggregata (Ker Gawl.) Wiehler, S. allagophylla (Mart.) Wiehler, S. douglasii (Lindl) Chautems, S. magnifica (Otto & A .Dietr.) Wiehler), and S. striata (Fritsch) Chautems. An identification key, morphological descriptions, illustrations, ecological comments, and taxonomic and geographic distribution of the species are presented.
Keywords:
high altitude fields; conservation; flora; Serra da Mantiqueira
