This study provides a survey of Orchidaceae species in an area of montane Atlantic Forest in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. The study area comprises two conservation units (RPPN Frei Caneca and RPPN Pedra D’Anta), forming together the Serra do Urubu, which is located in the border of the Borborema plateau. Orchidaceae is represented in this study area by 81 species and 50 genera. Epidendrum L. (10 spp.) and Habenaria Willd. (four spp.) are the most representative genera. The subtribes Laeliinae (22 spp.) and Pleurothallidinae (14 spp.) together represent about half of the number of species. The high number of orchid species distinguishes Serra do Urubu as one of the richest areas for the family in the Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil. Our study also provides 18 new records of species to Pernambuco as well as reporting on about 40% of the species and 60% of the genera cited to the State. Campylocentrum pernambucense, Cattleya labiata, Cattleya granulosa, Phragmipedium sargentianum and Zygostates bradeiare cited as endangered, 14 species are endemic to the Atlantic Forest, and other seven have distributions restricted to northeastern Brazil. All these facts reinforce the importance of this area as well as management strategies for the conservation of Orchidaceae.
hotspot; monocots; northeastern Brazil; orchids
