ERIOCAULON L . from Brazil : An annotated checklist and taxonomic novelties 1

Eriocaulon is an aquatic and cosmopolitan genus with 478 species. It is characterized by diplostemonous flowers and free petals with a black gland at the apex. There are few taxonomists studying Eriocaulon from Brazil. The species of this genus remain barely delimited, with inconsistent descriptions, and nomenclatural types not assigned or located. The analysis of nomenclatural types, specimens in scientific collections, and protologues enabled the recognition of 53 species of Eriocaulon from Brazil. Thirteen new synonyms and the elevation of five varietes to species level are proposed. Comments on taxonomy, geographic distribution, habitat, life form, and conservation category are provided.


Introduction
Eriocaulon is an aquatic and cosmopolitan genus with 478 species (Giulietti & Hensold 1990;Govaerts 2006) distributed mainly in the tropics.In Brazil, it occurs throughout the country in all domains, and reaches its greatest diversity in the Cerrado.The genus is characterized by diplostemonous flowers and free petals with a black gland at the apex (Giulietti & Hensold 1990).Eriocaulon from Brazil was first mentioned in the Flora Fluminensis, where Vellozo (1827) described Eriocaulon ligulatum as Dupatya ligulata.Bongard (1831) subsequently provided brief descriptions of 80 species of Eriocaulon from Brazil, but only E. crassiscapum and E. elichrysoides remained in this genus.The others species were transferred to different genera of this family.Körnicke (1863) in the Flora Brasiliensis treated 32 species of Eriocaulon.Kunth (1841), Ruhland (1901;1903), and Silveira (1908;1928), among others, also described species from this country.Giulietti (1978a;1978b) studied members of Eriocaulon from the Serra do Cipó and provided new circumscriptions for E. melanocephalum and E. aquatile.The genus has also been studied in regional floras and checklists from the Amazon Forest (Costa & Giulietti 1999), Atlantic Forest (Moldenke & Smith 1976;Giulietti 2012), Caatinga (Giulietti 1986;Giulietti & Parra 1995;Miranda & Giulietti 2001), and Cerrado (Giulietti 1978a;Giulietti & Hensold 1987;Giulietti et al. 1996;Ferreira et al. 2011).However, many species remain inadequately delimited, with inconsistent descriptions, and few identification keys exist; some nomenclatural types have not been selected or cannot be located.Therefore, the recognition of these species is sometimes difficult, with consequences for the establishment of conservation categories.Currently, 57 species and 13 varieties of Eriocaulon from Brazil are accepted (Giulietti et al. 2013).This study presents a new general assessment of the genus in this country.We recognize 53 species of Eriocaulon from Brazil.Thirteen new synonyms and elevation of five varietes to species level are proposed.Comments on taxonomy, geographic distribution, habitat, life form, and conservation category are provided.

Material and methods
We analyzed specimens from the following herbaria: BHCB, CESJ, HUEFS, HUFU, INPA, UB, OUPR, P, R, RB, SP and SPF (Thiers, continuously updated); as well as material collected in the Cerrado and Caatinga from the Espinhaço mountain range (states of Minas Gerais and Bahia), and in the Cerrado from the states of Goiás and Tocantins.The database SpeciesLink (2014) also has been consulted.The collected material was deposited in the Herbarium of the Museu Nacional (R).The checklist of Eriocaulon L. was developed after careful study of the nomenclatural types housed in the R and the Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (RB) herbaria, as well as the online images, available Acta bot.bras.29(2): 175-189.2015.on the internet, of the types from the following herbaria: B, BR, CAL, G, HBG, K, M, NY, P, S, TEX-LL and US (Thiers, continuosly updated).The protologues were also analyzed.Whenever possible, one voucher for each domain of occurrence was selected, which most closely matched the morphological characters described in the protologue and/or collected in the type locality.There is no mention of selected material when only the type was seen or when no voucher was found.Only well known synonyms are cited.The species were considered to represent distinct evolutionary lineages (Queiroz 2007).To delimit these entities, we assumed that each species has a unique set of characters (Davis & Nixon 1992).The conservation categories were established according to IUCN (2012): with their respective acronyms.The geographic domains are according to IBGE (2004).The states where the species occur have been abbreviated as follows: Acre (AC), Amapá (AP), Amazonas (AM), Bahia (BA), Goiás (GO), Maranhão (MA), Mato Grosso (MT), Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Minas Gerais (MG), Pará (PA), Paraná (PR), Pernambuco (PE), Piauí (PI), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Rondônia (RO), Santa Catarina (SC), São Paulo (SP), Tocantins (TO), Rio Grande do Sul (RS), and Roraima (RR) as well the Distrito Federal (DF).
Eriocaulon alto-gibbosum can be recognized by: membranaceous leaves with a red sheath; hemispherical capitula with vegetative reproduction; pistillate flowers with gibbous sepals, incrassate gibba and ventral petal slightly longer than the lateral ones.
According to Govaerts (2006), Eriocaulon gibbosum var.matogrossense is a synonym of E. gibbosum (not E. altogibbosum).Nonetheless, Giulietti et al. (2013) considered it as an accepted taxon.Although Eriocaulon alto-gibbosum has a highly variable morphology (Ruhland 1903), we noted that specimens under the name of E. gibbosum var.matogrossense have the same exclusive set of characters states of E. alto-gibbosum whereas E. gibbosum is 10-15 cm high, has incrassate leaves with a green sheath, and no vegetative reproduction in capitula, justifying the synonymy.
Selected material: BRAZIL.This species occurs in the Atlantic forest (MG) and in the Cerrado (GO and MG).It is submerged fixed, living in small rivers and streams.It was found in "Parque Estadual do Rio Preto" and "Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipó" conservation units.Because this species has a large extent of geographic occurrence, the conservation rating of Least Concern (LC) is proposed.
Eriocaulon aquatile can be recognized by: rhizome or short stem; membranaceous 3-5 nerved leaves; 1-3 scapes; staminate and pistillate flowers with sepals smaller than petals in mature capitula and staminate flowers with equal petals.
We compared the types as well as the data of the protologues of E. cipoense and E. aquatile, and found no morphological differences between these taxa.We also analyzed specimens from many localities in Minas Gerais, and all showed the same set of exclusive characters states, justifying the synonymy.
Eriocaulon angustifolium was considered a synonym of Eriocaulon aquatile Körn.by Giulietti (1978b).Nowadays, in the world checklist (Govaerts 2006), E. angustifolium is an accepted name but in the checklist of species from Brazil (Giulietti et al. 2013) it is considered a synonym of E. aquatile.According to the protologue of E. angustifolium, the type was collected in Minas Gerais, but on the type label at K is written "Goiás".This latter information can be corroborated by Gardner's manuscript: Catalogue of Brazilian Plants (Hind 2012), where the number 4382 was collected in Goiás.Images of the types indicate that E. angustifolium and E. aquatile seem to be distinct species.We also do not found E. aquatile from Goiás, in field work or herbaria specimens analyzed.However, the study of the types is necessary to know if E. angustifolium is really a synonym of E. aquatile or a distinct species.Therefore, we decide in this checklist, keep this binome as synonym of E. aquatile.
Selected material: BRAZIL.Minas Gerais, 11/VIII/2008, fl.fr., A. Oliveira & R. Moura 91 (R).This species occurs in the Cerrado (BA and MT).It is emergent, living on river banks.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a small area of occupancy (< 500 km 2 ), few locations are known (≤5) and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Endangered Category (ENB2) is proposed.Eriocaulon araguaiense was included in Critically Endangered category in the original description (Oliveira & Bove 2011) but recent collections in western Bahia allow us to reclassify it.
Selected material: Bahia, Formoso This species occurs in the Pampas (RS) and Uruguay.It was not found in conservation units.Because there is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of risk of extinction of this species, based on its distribution and/or population status, the conservation rating of Data Deficient (DD) is proposed.
This species occurs in the Cerrado (GO).It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a small extent of geographic occurrence (< 100 km²), only one location known, and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Critically Endangered category (CRB1) is proposed.
Eriocaulon burchellii can be recognized by: lanceolate, 5-7 nerved leaves, smaller than spathe; hemispherical capitula; olivaceous involucral bracts; staminate flowers with ventral petal longer than the lateral ones.This species occurs in the Cerrado (MG).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was found in "Parque Estadual da Serra do Cabral" conservation unit.This species has a small area of occupancy and few locations are known, but it does not suffer decline of extent of geographic occurrence, occupancy area or population.Because this, the conservation rating of Least Concern (LC) is proposed.

Eriocaulon cabralense
Eriocaulon cabralense can be recognized by: lanceolate leaves, longer than spathe; cylindrical capitula; staminate flowers with equal petals and anthophore pilose at lower part.
The protologues of E. cabralense and E. paludicola pointed out only one difference between these species: the receptacle is described as pilose to E. cabralense and glabrous to E. paludicola.They were described in the same article, probably collected close to each other.However, the types of these species were examined; and no differences were found, being here considered as synonyms.Moldenke, Phytologia 27: 63. 1973.
This species occurs in the Amazon Forest (PA).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations in rupestrian ferruginous fields, locally known as "campo de canga".It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a small extent of geographic occurrence (< 100 km²), only one location known, and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Critically Endangered category (CRB1) is proposed.
Eriocaulon carajense can be recognized by: lanceolate leaves, little longer or equal than spathe; hemispherical capitula; suborbiculate cream-colored involucral bracts and staminate flowers with obovate ventral petal.This species is broadly distributed in America, Africa and Asia.In Brazil it occurs in the Cerrado (GO and MG).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was found in "RPPN Santuário do Caraça" and "Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros" conservation units.Because this species has broadly distribution with a large extent of geographic occurrence in Brazil, the conservation rating of Least Concern (LC) is proposed.

Eriocaulon coniferum
This species occurs in the Cerrado (BA).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a small extent of geographic occurrence (< 100 km²), only one location known, and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Critically Endangered category (CRB1) is proposed.
The type analyzed is a young specimen, preventing a good characterization of this species.This species occurs in the Cerrado (BA and GO).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a small area of occupancy (< 500 km 2 ), few locations are known (≤5) and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Endangered Category (ENB2) is proposed.Eriocaulon cylindratum was included in Critically Endangered category in the original description (Oliveira & Bove 2011) but recent collections in western Bahia allow us to reclassify it.
This species occurs in the Cerrado (MG and SP).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a small area of occupancy (< 500 km 2 ), few locations are known (≤5), and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Endangered Category (ENB2) is proposed.
Eriocaulon dictyophyllum can be recognized by: membranaceous, 7-15 nerved leaves, little longer or equal than spathe, with disthicous alternate arrangement; hemispherical or ovoid capitula; cream-colored involucral bracts; olivaceous with cream colored base floral bracts and staminate flowers with ventral petal longer than the lateral ones.
Salgado is the ancient name of a villa, which in 1833 was declared the town of Januária (IBGE 2014a).
Selected material: BRAZIL.Minas Gerais: Paraopeba, s.d., fl., A. Silveira 467 (R).This species occurs in the Caatinga (BA).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was found in "APA Marimbus/Iraquara" conservation unit.This species has a small area of occupancy and few locations are known, but it does not suffer decline of extent occurrence, occupancy area or population.Because this, the conservation rating of Least Concern (LC) is proposed.
The stability and importance of these character states justify the elevation of E. ligulatum var.dimerum to species rank.Instead, Eriocaulon ligulatum (Vell.)L. B. Sm. has a closed spathe with truncate apex and trimerous flowers.14.Eriocaulon elichrysoides Bong., Mém.Acad.Imp.Sci.This species occurs in the Cerrado (MG) and Atlantic Forest (SP and PR).It is amphibious, living along river banks.It was found in the "Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipó" and "Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar" conservation units.Because this species has a large extent of geographic occurrence, the conservation rating of Least Concern (LC) is proposed.
Eriocaulon elichrysoides can be recognized by: robust habit; lanceolate, ca. 100 nerved and 2 cm wide, flat leaves, longer than spathe, with smooth transition from the sheath to the blade; closed spathe with truncate apex; hemispherical to spherical, compact capitula; cream-colored involucral bracts that surpass the diameter of capitula; oblong, cream-colored floral bracts with acuminate apex, giving an echinate aspect to the capitula and staminate flowers with equal petals.

Eriocaulon epapillosum
This species occurs in the Cerrado (MG).It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a small extent of geographic occurrence (< 100 km²), only one location known, and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Critically Endangered category (CRB1) is proposed.
Eriocaulon gardnerianum can be recognized by: membranaceous leaves, longer than spathe, in a spiral alternate arrangement; pistillate flowers with gibbous sepals, incrassate gibba and ventral petal slightly longer than the lateral ones.Govaerts (2006) considered Eriocaulon gibbosum var.longifolium an accepted name; nonetheless Giulietti et al. (2013) synonymized it with Eriocaulon gibbosum.We consider that E. gibbosum var.longifolium has an exclusive and stable set of important characters states, presented above, against the incrassate leaves smaller than the spathe in a distichous alternate arrangement observed in E. gibbosum, justifying the elevation of this taxon to species rank.
Due to the previous existence of the binomium Eriocaulon longifolium the specific epithet "gardnerianum" was chosen in honor of the collector George Gardner (1812-1849 †), a Scottish botanist and explorer who made important collections of the Brazilian flora (Stafleu & Cowan 1976-1988).

Eriocaulon gomphrenoides
This species occurs in the "campos de altitude" (high-altitude grassland vegetation) of the Atlantic Forest (PR, RS, SC and SP).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was found in the "Parque Nacional de São Joaquim" conservation unit.Because this species has a large extent of geographic occurrence, the conservation rating of Least Concern (LC) is proposed.
Although the date on the type label is January 1836, Sellow died in 1831.The collection number indicates that this specimen was collected in Sellow's fourth expedition, from Montevideo, Uruguay to São Paulo, Brazil, between the years 1821-1829 (Moraes 2008).
The voucher Luetzelburg 21052 was collected in "Nordbrasilien, Staat Pará (?): Teju, feuchte Campos, fast im Wasser".This is probably the village of Santa Maria de Teju in Viana Municipality, Maranhão.Kunth, Enum. pl. 3: 544. 1841 The domain where this species occurs is unknown.It was not found in conservation units.Because there is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of risk of extinction of this species, based on its distribution and/or population status, the conservation rating of Data Deficient (DD) is proposed.
It is very similar to and may be a synonym of Eriocaulon guyanense, although a more detailed analysis of types is needed to resolve this question.This species occurs in the Cerrado (MG).It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has only one location known, and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Critically Endangered category (CRB1) is proposed.
This species occurs in the Pampas (RS) and Uruguay.It is submerged fixed, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has only one location known, and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Critically Endangered category (CRB1) is proposed.
Eriocaulon leptophyllum can be recognized by: membranaceous leaves, longer than spathe; hemispherical capitula; olivaceous with cream-colored base involucral bracts; staminate flowers with completely fused sepals and ventral petal slightly longer than lateral petals.
On the type label (K) is written "Brasilia meridionalis", December 1836.Nonetheless, Sellow died in 1831 (Moraes 2008) This species occurs in the Caatinga (BA), Cerrado (GO, MG, SP, and DF) and Atlantic Forest (RJ).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations and river banks.It was found in "RPPN Santuário do Caraça" conservation unit.Because this species has a large extent of geographic occurrence, the conservation rating of Least Concern (LC) is proposed.
Eriocaulon ligulatum can be recognized by: robust habit; lanceolate, ca. 100 nerved and 2 cm wide, plicate leaves, longer than spathe, with abrupt transition to sheath from blade; closed spathe with truncate apex; hemispherical to spherical, compact capitula; oblong, cream-colored floral bracts with acute or acuminate apex; staminate flowers with equal petals.
We noted that specimens under the name of Eriocaulon magnificum var.goyazense have the same exclusive set of characters states of E. ligulatum whereas E. magnificum var.magnificum Ruhland has a slit spathe with acute apex, justifying the synonymy.Eriocaulon vaginatum also, has the same exclusive set of characters states being here considered a synonym of Eriocaulon ligulatum.
This species occurs in the Atlantic Forest (PE).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has only one location known, and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Critically Endangered category (CRB1) is proposed.
Eriocaulon linearifolium can be recognized by: robust habit; linear leaves, longer than or equal to sphate; hemispherical and compact capitula; staminate flowers with equal petals and white anthers.
The locality on the type label at B and G herbaria as well in the protologue is "Piahui", while on the the type label at K herbarium is printed "Bahia, Serra da Batalha", but also is written, in ink, "Pernambuco, Rio Preto".This latter information can be corroborated by Gardner's manuscript: Catalogue of Brazilian Plants (Hind 2012), where the number 2954 was collected in Pernambuco.The Rio Preto is a tributary of Rio Una, located between the towns of Palmeiras and Água Preta (IBGE 2014b).This species occurs in the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest (MG), in dry or moist habitats.It was not found in conservation units.Because there is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of risk of extinction of this species, based on its distribution and/or population status, the conservation rating of Data Deficient (DD) is proposed.

Eriocaulon macrobolax
The type has only one leaf preventing a good characterization of this species.
The protologue mentions two localities in Minas Gerais: an unknown place on the bank of São Francisco River and the Serra de Santo Antônio, located in southern Minas Gerais, near Andrelândia.Ruhland,Pflanzenr. 4(30) This species occurs in the Atlantic Forest (SC) in Restinga vegetation, and in the Pampas (RS).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a small extent of geographic occurrence (< 20,000 km 2 ), with few locations known (≤ 10), and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Vunerable (VUB1) is proposed.

Eriocaulon magnificum
Eriocaulon magnificum can be recognized by: robust habit; lanceolate, ca. 100 nerved and 2 cm wide, plicate leaves, longer than spathe, with abrupt transition to sheath from blade and distichous alternate arrangement; slit spathe with acute apex; hemispherical to spherical, compact capitula; cream-colored floral bracts; staminate flowers with equal petals; pistillate flowers inserted in a long, villous anthophore, 2.5 x 1 mm and ventral petal longer than the lateral petals.
The protologue of Eriocaulon reitzii mentioned the similarity with Eriocaulon magnificum, but no distinctive features were stated.We noted that this species has the same exclusive set of characters states presented above.Because this, Eriocaulon reitzii is here considered as a synonym of E. magnificum.

Eriocaulon magnum
Eriocaulon singulare Moldenke, Phytologia 48: 253. 1981.Type: BRAZIL.Minas Gerais: Ituiutaba, 16/IX/1950, A. Macedo 2589 (NY "photo !"), syn.nov.This species occurs in the Cerrado (MG and SP), in the "campos de altitude" (high-altitude grassland vegetation) of the Atlantic Forest (PR, SC, and SP) and in the Pampas (RS), Argentina, and Paraguay.It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations or in floating mats in lakes.It was found in "APA Rio Vermelho/Humbold" and "APA Estadual de Guaratuba" conservation units.Because this species has a large extent of geographic occurrence, the conservation rating of Least Concern (LC) is proposed.
Eriocaulon magnum can be recognized by: robust habit; lanceolate, ca. 100 nerved and 2 cm wide, plicate leaves, longer than spathe, with abrupt transition to sheath from blade and disthicous alternate arrangement; closed spathe with obtuse apex and composed (with two or three capitula), hemispherical to spherical, compact capitula.
Eriocaulon magnum was described from Argentina and Paraguay, and Eriocaulon singulare from Brazil (state of Minas Gerais).Both have the same exclusive set of characters states.Analysis of specimens from Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil (states of Minas Gerais, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul) showed no morphological distinctions and a continuous geographic distribution; therefore, E. singulare is considered here as a synonym of E. magnum.
Minas Gerais, Brazil".However, on the type label there is no mention of the Serra do Conego.We suppose that this is a misspelling of beira do córrego, which means creek bank.Moreover, the type label also bears the word Ituiutaba, the town where the type was collected.

Eriocaulon majusculum
Eriocaulon majusculum can be recognized by: robust habit; lanceolate, ca. 100 nerved and 1 cm wide leaves, longer than spathe, with spiral alternate arrangement; closed spathe with truncate apex; hemispherical to spherical, compact capitula and ovate, cream-colored floral bracts with acute apex.
Selected material: BRAZIL.Rio de Janeiro: planalto do Itatiaia, 22-28/XI/1938, fl., fr., Markgraf & Brade 3661 (RB).This species occurs in the Pampas (RS).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a small extent of geographic occurrence (< 5,000 km 2 ), with few locations known (≤ 5), and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Endangered (ENB1) is proposed.

Eriocaulon megapotamicum
Eriocaulon megapotamicum can be recognized by: robust habit; lanceolate, ca. 100 nerved and 2 cm wide, plicate leaves, longer than spathe, with distichous alternate arrangement; slit spathe with laciniate apex; hemispherical to spherical, laxa capitula; oblong, olivaceous floral bracts and pistillate flowers, inserted in a long anthophore, with villous petals.Silveira, Arq. Mus. Nac. Rio de Janeiro 23: 163. 1921.Type: BRAZIL.Minas Gerais: Sete Lagoas, IV/1908, Serra do Cabral, VI/1910, A. Silveira 500 (R!).This species occurs in the Cerrado (MG).It is submerged fixed, living in rivers.It was not collected in conservation units.Because this species has a small area of occupancy (< 500 km 2 ), few locations are known (≤5) and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Endangered Category (ENB2) is proposed.

Eriocaulon milhoense
This species occurs in the Amazon Forest (MA or PA).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a small extent of geographic occurrence (< 100 km²), only one location known, and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Critically Endangered category (CRB1) is proposed.
Although no information on the locality mentioned in the protologue (Milho) was found, according to the data from the preceding collection numbers of Luetzelburg (21052 and 21053a), the type was collected near the village of Santa Maria de Teju in Viana Municipality, Maranhão.
cause this species has a large extent of geographic occurrence, the conservation rating of Least Concern (LC) is proposed.
Eriocaulon modestum can be recognized by: fenestrate leaves, longer or equal than spathe; floral bracts with creamcolored base and olivaceous apex; trimerous flowers; staminate flowers with the frontal petal much longer than the lateral ones.However, it has variable morphology in some respects: the involucral bracts can be ovate to obovate, and the floral bracts can be oblong to obtrullate with olivaceous to cream-colored base.The presence of viviparous capitula can be observed in some populations collected in Goiás.
Eriocaulon candidum shows the exclusive set of characters states presented above, therefore, is considered here as a synonym of E. modestum.
Eriocaulon steyermarkii var.bahiensis has been distinguished from the typical variety, in the protologue, by its brownish involucral bracts with acute apex, against black involucral bracts with obtuse apex.However, after analysis of the protologue of Eriocaulon steyermarkii var.bahiensis, images of the type, as well a specimen collected in the type locality (A.Oliveira & R. Moura 192 (R)) we realize that the set of characters of E. steyermarkii var.bahiensis is consistent with that found in Eriocaulon modestum.Eriocaulon steyermarkii Moldenke var.steyermarkii has dimerous flowers and the staminate flowers with equal petals whereas Eriocaulon steyermarkii var.bahiensis has the same set of states of characters, presented above.The stability and importance of them indicate that this taxon is not a variety of Eriocaulon steyermarkii but a synonym of E. modestum.We also should consider the great geographic disjunction of these taxa.While Eriocaulon steyermarkii var.bahiensis occurs in the Caatinga in state of Bahia in Brazil Eriocaulon steyermarkii Moldenke var.steyermarkii occurs in Amazon Forest in Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname.
Selected material: BRAZIL.Goiás: Alto Paraíso de Goiás, 02/VI/2009, fl., A. Oliveira et al. 233 (R).Rio Grande do Sul: Tramandaí, IX/1973, fl., fr., J. Vidal.IV-174 (R).This species occurs in the Amazon Forest (AP and PA).It is submerged fixed, living in streams.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a large extent of occurrence, a conservation rating of Least Concern (LC) is proposed.
Although Eriocaulon aquatile var.latifolium is currently considered a synonym of Eriocaulon aquatile var.aquatile (Govaerts 2006, Giulietti et al. 2013), this variety has an exclusive set of characters states, presented above whereas the tipical variety has 3-5 nerved leaves and 1-3 capitula.We also should consider the great geographic disjunction of these taxa.Eriocaulon aquatile var.latifolium occurs in the Amazon forest, in the state of Amapá while Eriocaulon aquatile var.aquatile occurs in the Cerrado, only in the state of Minas Gerais.The stability and importance of these character states as well the geographic disjunction justify the elevation of E. aquatile var.latifolium to species rank.
Because the binomen Eriocaulon latifolium Sm. is preoccupied, the specific epithet "multiscapum" was chosen in reference to the large number of scapes.

Eriocaulon neglectum
Eriocaulon neglectum can be recognized by: delicate habit; lanceolate, membranaceous, 3-4 nerved leaves, longer than or equal the spathe; hemispherical, laxa, gray capitula; olivaceous with cream-colored base floral sepals, longer than flowers and trimerous flowers.Ruhland, Pflanzenr. 4(30): 46. 1903.Type: BRAZIL.Minas Gerais: Uberaba, VI/1892, E. Ule 3157 (B"photo !").This species occurs in the Cerrado (MG).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a small extent of geographic occurrence (< 100 km²), only one location known, and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Critically Endangered category (CRB1) is proposed.

Eriocaulon obtusum
Eriocaulon obtusum can be recognized by: incrassate leaves, much smaller than spathe; hemispherical capitula; floral bracts cream-colored and staminate flowers with ventral petal slightly longer than the lateral ones.
Selected material: BRAZIL.flooded locations.Because this species has a small area of occupancy (< 500 km 2 ), few locations are known (≤5) and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Endangered Category (ENB2) is proposed.

Eriocaulon papillosum
This species occurs in the Cerrado (GO).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a small area of occupancy (< 500 km 2 ), few locations are known (≤5) and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Endangered Category (ENB2) is proposed.
Eriocaulon papillosum can be recognized by: papillose leaves, smaller than spathe; hemispherical or cylindrical capitula; cream-colored floral bracts and staminate flowers with petals slightly longer than the lateral ones.

Eriocaulon paraguayense
It is very similar to and may be a synonym of Eriocaulon humboldtii, although a more detailed analysis of types is needed to resolve this question.Ruhland, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 30(2): 147. 1901.Type: BRAZIL.Mato Grosso, 24/II/1899, Pilger 239 (B "photo !").This species occurs in the Cerrado (MT).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a small area of occupancy (< 500 km 2 ), few locations are known (≤5) and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Endangered Category (ENB2) is proposed.

Eriocaulon pilgeri
Eriocaulon pilgeri can be recognized by: lanceolate leaves, smaller than spathe; hemispherical or cylindri-cal capitula; obtrullate, cream-colored floral bracts with acuminate apex; pistillate flowers with gibbous sepals and membranaceous gibba.Ruhland (1901) mentioned the similarity between E. gibbosum and E. pilgeri, but without seeing the pistillate flowers of the latter.Eriocaulon pilgeri has the characters states presented above whereas E. gibbosum has obovate, olivaceous with cream-colored base floral bracts with acute apex; pistillate flowers with gibbous sepals and coriaceous gibba.

Eriocaulon radiosum
Eriocaulon ulaei var.radiosa Ruhland, Pflanzenr.4(30): 48.1903.Type: BRAZIL.Santa Catarina: "Insel Sa Catharina", II/1887, E. Ule 639 (B "photo !").This species occurs in the Atlantic Forest, in Restinga vegetation (SC).It is amphibious, living along lakeshores.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a small extent of geographic occurrence (< 100 km²), only one location known, and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Critically Endangered category (CRB1) is proposed.
Eriocaulon ulaei var.radiosa was distinguished from Eriocaulon ulaei Ruhland var.ulaei in the protologue by the often viviparous capitula and the narrowly involucral bracts.However, the outstanding character in this taxon is the presence of reflexed floral bracts surpassing the capitula.These character states, together with the sheath with a lateral slit and the acuminate apex, provide this taxon an exclusive and stable set of characters states, justifying its elevation to species rank.Moldenke, Phytologia 3: 35. 1948.Type: BRAZIL.Minas Gerais: Caldas, 20/IV/1870, A. F. Regnell III.1740 (NY "photo !").This species occurs in the Atlantic Forest (MG).It was found in "APA Sul RMBH" conservation unit.This species has a small area of occupancy and few locations are known, but it does not suffer decline of extent occurrence, occupancy area or population.Because this, the conservation rating of Least Concern (LC) is proposed.
Eriocaulon spruceanum f. amphibium Herzog, Repert.Spec.Nov. Regni Veg. 29: 203. 1931 This species occurs in the Amazon Forest (AM) and Colombia.It is submerged fixed.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a large extent of geographic occurrence, the conservation rating of Least Concern (LC) is proposed.
Eriocaulon spruceanum can be recognized by: membranaceous leaves, longer than spathe; hemispherical capitula; involucral bracts cream-colored; pistillate flowers with asymmetrical and winged sepals.Eriocaulon brevifolium Klotzsch ex Körn.Fl.Bras.3(1): 496.1863.Type: GUYANA, s.d., Schomburgk 107 (B "photo !").This species occurs in the Amazon Forest, in cerrado vegetation (RR) and in Guyana.It is emergent, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was found in "Parque Nacional do Viruá" conservation unit.This species has a small area of occupancy and few locations are known, but it does not suffer decline of extent occurrence, occupancy area or population.Because this, the conservation rating of Least Concern (LC) is proposed.
Eriocaulon tenuifolium can be recognized by: robust habit; membranaceous leaves, longer than or equal to sphate; hemispherical, compact, 8-15 capitula and staminate flowers with ventral petal longer than the lateral ones.Ruhland, Pflanzenr. 4(30): 47. 1903.Type: BRAZIL, s.l., I/1889, E. Ule 1315 (B "photo !", F).This species occurs in the Atlantic Forest, in Restinga vegetation (SC).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a small extent of geographic occurrence (< 5,000 km 2 ), few locations are known (≤5) and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Endangered Category (ENB1) is proposed.
According to the protologue, E. ulaei was collected in the state of Rio de Janeiro.The label of the type indicates the date of collection (January 1889) but it does not mention the locality where the specimen was collected.In the same period, Ule collected Acnistus ulaei Dammer (Ule 1010 RB) in the state of Santa Catarina.This information indicates that the type of E. ulaei was collected in this state.The occurrence of this species in the state of Rio de Janeiro is unconfirmed as stated in the checklist of species from Brazil (Giulietti et al. 2013).
Selected material: BRAZIL.Santa Catarina, 27/II/1952, fl., L. Smith & R. Reitz 5876 (R).This species occurs in the Cerrado (GO).It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has a small extent of geographic occurrence (< 20,000 km 2 ), with few locations known, and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Vunerable (VUB1) is proposed.
Eriocaulon weddellianum can be recognized by: incrassate leaves; brownish floral bracts with acuminate or aristate apex and staminate flowers with ovate ventral petal, ca. 1 mm longer than the lateral petals.
In the protologue, Eriocaulon sellowianum var.longifolium was distinguished from the typical variety by membranaceous and longer leaves, but analyses of the type do not corroborate this information.The leaves of Weddell's specimen (2138) are as incrassate as the typical variety.However, this variety has an exclusive and stable set of characters states, justifying the elevation of this taxon to species rank.Because the binomen Eriocaulon longifolium is preoccupied, the specific epithet "weddellianum" was chosen in honor of the collector of the type, Hugh Weddell (1819-1877 †), an Anglo-French botanist, physician, and explorer of the Brazilian flora (Stafleu & Cowan 1976-1988) Forty three species are endemic to Brazil.Four taxa also occur in neighboring countries to the south, Argentina, Paraguay, and/or Uruguay (Eriocaulon arechavaletae Herter, Eriocaulon leptophyllum Kunth, Eriocaulon magnum, and Eriocaulon sellowianum).Four species also occur to the north in Colombia, Venezuela, and/or Guyana (Eriocaulon guyanense, Eriocaulon humboldtii, Eriocaulon spruceanum, and Eriocaulon tenuifolium).Only Eriocaulon cinereum and Eriocaulon setaceum are more widely distributed, mainly in tropical areas.
Despite our efforts to improve the taxonomy of Eriocaulon from Brazil, we recognize that some problems could not be completely resolved here.However, we think that most of them have been clarified or identified as needing to be addressed in the near future.

, syn. nov.
It was not found in conservation units.Because this species has only one location known, and it suffers an increasing of human pressure with continuing decline of area of occupancy, the conservation rating of Critically Endangered category (CRB1) is proposed.
It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was found in the "Parque Nacional da Serra das Confusões" conservation unit.This species has a small area of occupancy and few locations are known, but it does not suffer decline of extent of geographic occurrence, occupancy area or population.Because this, the conservation rating of Least Concern (LC) is proposed.Eriocaulon stramineum Körn., Fl.Bras.3(1):478.1863.Type: BRAZIL.Goiás: Salinas, s.d., Weddell 2130 (P "photo !").This species occurs in the Amazon Forest (AM, MA, and PA), Cerrado (GO and MT) and Guyana.It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was collected in the "Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros" conservation unit.Because this species has a large extent of geographic occurrence, the conservation rating of Least Concern (LC) is proposed.Eriocaulon guyanense can be recognized by: delicate habit; membranaceous leaves, smaller than or equal the spathe; light cream-colored, hemispherical or ovoid capitula; dimerous flowers and pistillate flowers with widely ovate, winged sepals.Selected material: BRAZIL.Goiás: Vila de São Jorge, 05/ VII/2009, fl., A.Oliveira et al. 245a (R).Maranhão: Carolina, 01/VI/1930, fl., J. M. Pires & Black 2538 (INPA).
This species occurs in Brazil, in the Amazon Forest (AC, AP, PA, RR, and TO), and the Cerrado (MT and MS) as well in Venezuela.It is amphibious, living in temporarily flooded locations.It was found in "Reserva do Cabaçal" conservation unit.Because this species has a large extent geographic occurrence, the conservation rating of Least Concern (LC) is proposed.Eriocaulon humboldtii can be recognized by: robust habit; chartaceous leaves, longer than or equal to sphate; hemispherical, compact, 1-3 capitula and staminate flowers with ventral petal longer than the lateral ones.Selected material: BRAZIL.Mato Grosso do Sul: Sonora, 22/VII/2003, fl., C. P. Bove et al. 1154 (R).Roraima: Boa Vista, 03/XI/1977, fl., L. Coradin & M. R. Cordeiro s.n.