ABSTRACT Among species of the genus Dyckia Schult. & Schult. f. there are 13 endemic species of the Brazilian states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina informally treated as the Dyckia selloa complex. This study employed standard plant anatomy techniques to investigate variation in leaf morphology of species belonging to the genus Dyckia with a focus of establishing characters that help delimit the Dyckia selloa complex. The results allowed the survey of morphological and anatomical characters important for the characterization of species. Such characters include color of spines, the presence of water-storage parenchyma and mechanical hypodermis on both leaf surfaces, and the presence of tetracytic stomata on only the abaxial surface. Analyses support the current delimitation of the complex and recommend the investigation of reproductive and/or vegetative organs to better understand the relationships among these species of Dyckia.

ABSTRACT A taxonomic synopsis of Cypella (Iridaceae) in Brazil is presented with recognition of 16 species, two of them represented by two subspecies. An identification key to the taxa is provided and species are described and illustrated. New synonyms are indicated, and eight lectotypes, two epitypes and one neotype are designated. Results include distribution, habitat, phenology, conservation status, notes and examined specimens of all taxa, as well as comments on dubious and misused names. The resulting framework revealed that most of the Brazilian species of Cypella occur in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and in the Pampa Biome, although Río de la Plata grasslands (RPG) is the most species-rich biogeographic unit of the genus.

Mikania glomerata is a plant used in Brazilian traditional medicine, known as ‘guaco'. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties and the aqueous extracts of its leaves are indicated for the treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract. This study aimed at evaluating the antiproliferative and genotoxic effect of Mikania glomerata leaf infusions on the cell cycle of onion. The material used was collected in the native environment from Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Aqueous extracts through infusions were prepared in two concentrations: 4g/L (usual concentration) and 16g/L (4x more concentrated) of each of the populations. Two groups of four onion bulbs for each plant population were used plus a control group. The rootlets were fixed in ethanol-acetic acid (3:1), conserved in ethanol 70% and slides were prepared using the squashing technique colored with orcein 2%. The cells were observed and analyzed during cell cycle. Per group of bulbs, 2000 cells were analyzed, and the mean values of the cell number of each of the phases of the cell cycle were calculated, determining the mitotic index (MI). Statistic analyses of the data were carried out by the x² (p= 0.05) test. We conclude that M. glomerata presents both antiproliferative and genotoxic activity.