The species of Nephrolepis , according to experts, are considered confusing taxonomic point of view, especially regarding the morphological characters used to define the taxa restricted to the American continent. In total, the genus has 19 species in tropical regions, of which seven are native to America. In Brazil the genus is represented by nine species. This paper aims a survey of the Nephrolepis in the Brazilian Amazon and identification key, comments, illustrations, and data indicating their preferred environments are presented. In this study, the occurrence of species was surveyed through collecting expeditions in state of Acre, Pará and Mato Grosso. The specimens deposited in the herbaria BHCB, HB, HBRA, HPZ, IAN, INPA, MG, MIRR, R, RB, SP, SPF, UFRR were analyzed and NY through the virtual Herbarium. In the Brazilian Amazon the genus is represented by seven species: Nephrolepis biserrata , N. brownii , N. cordifolia. pectinata , N. pendula , N. rivularis and N. undulata . They occur in several Amazonian environments and the predominant life form is epiphyte, following by rupicolous and terrestrial. Morphological characters like the scales of the petiole base, rhizome and rachis plus the indusia shape are important for distinguishing species in the genus.
ferns; flora; taxonomy; Amazon forest
