ABSTRACT Until the mid-XX century, little awareness on the ecological services or socio-environmental problems and benefits related to aquatic plants culminated in bottlenecks on their natural history, especially for the Neotropics. In this context, Acta Botanica Brasilica (ABB) organized this special issue to promote the advancement of knowledge on this ecological group in the Neotropics, supported by Sociedade Botânica do Brasil’s group of aquatic plants specialists. We selected and evaluated manuscripts gathering unprecedented findings, resulting from studies on aquatic plants, with little investigated or documented approaches, such as the improper use of methodological paradigms and aspects of biogeography, ecophysiology, morphoanatomy, structuration of communities, functional ecology, and human use. Here we present a synthesis of these reports’ findings that shall contribute to deepening the knowledge on the natural history, sustainable use, and conservation of aquatic plants and guide future research, mainly in Neotropical aquatic ecosystems. The publication of special issues on themes with insufficient knowledge to Science can reduce such gaps and expand the journal’s perspectives. Therefore, we believe that this special issue of ABB will boost the understanding of aquatic plants’ natural history as much as incentivizing journals with specific scopes of the area of Plant Biology to similar initiatives.

Resumo Eleocharis (Cyperaceae) inclui mais de 300 espécies de ervas perenes ou anuais, frequentemente encontradas em solos pouco drenados. As espécies são morfologicamente semelhantes e a taxonomia é difícil devido às estruturas vegetativas e reprodutivas reduzidas. Estudo anterior sobre a arquitetura do caule no subgênero Limnochloa mostrou que as características anatômicas ajudam na interpretação da evolução, taxonomia e aspectos ecológicos do grupo. Nossos objetivos foram adicionar novos caracteres da estrutura do caule (= colmo), explorar os caracteres em um número maior de espécies de Eleocharis, com representantes de outros subgêneros, e adicionar esses dados em uma nova análise filogenética com dados moleculares. O estudo abrangeu 68 espécies obtidas de herbários e material fixado. Além da arquitetura do caule, foram incluídas na análise morfológica a organização interna dos tecidos, o formato da seção transversal, a presença ou ausência de células estiradas nos espaços de aerênquima e o porte da planta. Nossos dados confirmam que o padrão de aerênquima esponjoso é a condição ancestral, enquanto os padrões misto e septados ocorreram independentemente e pontualmente. Somente o formato da seção transversal foi variável entre as amostras, enquanto os demais caracteres foram uniformes e relevantes para o uso taxonômico.

Abstract Eleocharis (Cyperaceae) includes more than 300 species of perennial or annual herbs, frequently found on poorly drained soils. The species are morphologicaly similar, and the taxonomy is difficult because their vegetative and reproductive structures are very reduced. Previous study on the stem architecture in the subgenus Limnochloa showed that anatomical features help in the interpretation of the evolution, taxonomy and ecological aspects of the group. Our objectives were to add new characters from the stem (= culm) structure, to explore the characters in a greater number of Eleocharis species, representatives of the other subgenera, and add these data in a new phylogenetic analysis with molecular data. The study covered 68 species obtained from herbaria and fixed material. In addition to the stem architecture, the internal organization of the tissues, the cross-section format, the presence or absence of stretched cells in aerenchyma air gaps and the plant size were included in the morphological analysis. Our data confirm that spongy aerenchyma pattern is the ancestral condition while the mixed and septate patterns occurred independent and punctually. Only the cross-section format was variable among specimens while the other characters were uniform and relevant for taxonomic use.

ABSTRACT Aquatic ecosystems support species diversity, and knowledge of plant communities is essential for wetland conservation programs. This study provides a checklist of aquatic vascular plants of South Brazil and establishes their floristic affinities with bordering South America phytogeographical domains. The checklist was based on 52 sources, including 35 floristic lists, 17 regional taxonomic studies, and information from an electronic database on wetlands of South Brazil. Floristic similarities with published checklists for neighbouring regions were assessed. A total of 780 species distributed in 277 genera and 85 families of vascular plants were reported for South Brazil. Families with higher species richness were Cyperaceae (128), Poaceae (102), Asteraceae (69), Plantaginaceae (21), Lentibulariaceae (20), and Onagraceae (20). The most represented genera were Eleocharis (41) and Cyperus (24). A cluster analysis revealed high similarity with Iberá (Argentinian Chaco), Pampa and Atlantic Forest, and low similarity with Pantanal, Caatinga and the Amazon Rainforest. The high number of aquatic plant families recorded relative to temperate and tropical climates suggests a zone of biogeographical overlap in Southern Brazil. The compiled data set reveals high biodiversity of wetlands of South Brazil, provides a baseline for future research, and highlights the need for regional conservation planning.

ABSTRACT Initiatives directed at managing information on aquatic plants can support different areas of scientific research, educational practices and political decisions for sustainable management and protection of wetlands and natural resources, as well as reveal knowledge gaps regarding aquatic plants and wetlands. Furthermore, such initiatives can contribute directly to consolidating wetland classification systems in Brazil. The objectives of this work are to present and explore the use of a data repository and online platform created specifically for the management of data on aquatic plants in Brazil. The data repository for aquatic plants was developed to store information on species occurrence records in a standardized form considering: systematics, taxonomy, habit, life form, geographic distribution, hydrographic basin, wetland, bibliographic references and herbarium material. A total of 3,903 records referring to the Southeast Region of Brazil were generated for the data repository. This total encompassed 1,036 species distributed among 132 families and 466 genera. Our results illustrate the diversity of information available regarding aquatic plants, circumscribe this group of species and serve as a source of data about them. Similar databases and electronic infrastructures can be developed for other flora in the future.

ABSTRACT Dialypetalanthus is a monospecific genus that occurs in the Amazon Basin of Brazil, Bolivia and Peru and occupies a controversial position among the Rubiaceae. We continue this taxonomic discussion with the overall aim of clarifying the systematic position of D. fuscescens within the Rubiaceae. To accomplish this, we analyzed the ontogeny of its gynoecium, in particular the floral meristem, as well as the development of the carpels and cauline placentation. Gynosporogenesis and the differentiation of the carpellary septa and ovules were also described. Dialypetalanthus fuscescens was classified according to evolutionary diagrams found in the literature. The following characteristics were observed in D. fuscescens: 1) permanence of the floral meristem in the central basal part of the early flower bud; 2) dual origin of carpellary septum; 3) trizonate ovular primordia with only one fertile gynospore per ovule; and 4) cellular proliferation in the chalazal region. Embryological results confirm the classification of D. fuscescens in the subfamily Ixoroideae. These results are distinct from any others previously proposed in the evolutionary diagram. Therefore, we conclude that this study has presented evidence strongly suggesting that Dialypetalanthus possesses new morphological-type of ovule we refer to as the Dialypetalanthus-type.

Resumo Plantas aquáticas apresentam grande plasticidade fenotípica, sendo capazes de ocupar ambientes com diferentes condições físico-químicas da água. O objetivo deste trabalho é caracterizar a morfologia e a estrutura anatômica de Potamogeton polygonus Cham. & Schltdl., e identificar as alterações adaptativas da espécie em ambientes lêntico e lótico. As coletas foram realizadas nos municípios de Palmas e General Carneiro, Estado do Paraná, Brasil. Foram coletados dez indivíduos em cada localidade e realizadas mensurações de parâmetros morfológicos e anatômicos de raizes, caules e folhas. A estrutura anatômica foi analisada em microscopia fotônica e eletrônica de varredura. Foram constatadas modificações morfológicas e anatômicas de potencial papel adaptativo entre as plantas dos dois ambientes.

Abstract Aquatic macrophytes show great phenotypic plasticity and are able to occupy environments with different physicochemical conditions. The present study aimed to characterize morphology and anatomical structure of the pondweed, Potamogeton polygonus Cham. & Schltdl., and to identify adaptive modifications of the plant in lotic and lentic environments. Sampling was carried out in Palmas and General Carneiro, Paraná state, southern Brazil. Ten individuals from each locality were collected. Morpho-anatomical characteristics of the roots, stems and leaves were measured. The anatomical structure was analyzed with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Significant morphological and anatomical adaptive differences were observed between plants of the two environments.

Adesmia tristis é uma espécie endêmica do sul do Brasil e muito promissora como forrageira em campos de altitude com solos ricos em alumínio e com baixos teores de fósforo. O objetivo neste estudo foi analisar morfo-anatomicamente as sementes de A. tristis para subsidiar a compreensão do fenômeno de dormência nos referidos diásporos. As sementes foram colhidas na região de São Francisco de Paula, RS, no período de dezembro de 2007 a janeiro de 2008, material usado para os estudos dos cortes das sementes. Constatou-se que a espécie possui dormência tegumentar em função da impermeabilidade das camadas de macroesclereídes e osteosclereídes da testa. A estrutura do hilo segue o padrão geral em Faboideae, com arranjo dos traqueoides verticais e as astroesclereídes formando grandes espaços intercelulares, ampliando o grau de adaptação da semente à variação de umidade no ambiente.

Adesmia tristis is a species endemic to South Brazil and very promising as forage in high altitude pastures with soils rich in aluminium and low in phosphorus. The objective of this study was to analyze seed morphology and anatomy to understand dormancy in these diaspores. The seeds were harvested in the São Fransisco de Paula region, RS, Brazil, between December 2007 - January 2008, and this material used to study seed sections. It was found that this species has tegument dormancy due to the impermeability of the macrosclereid and osteosclereid layers of the testa. The hilum structure follows the general pattern in Fabaceae, the tracheid arrangement is vertical, the astroesclereids form large intercelluar spaces, increasing seed adaptation to variations in environmental moisture.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever o desenvolvimento do embrião, endosperma e tegumento da semente de Chrysophyllum gonocarpum (Mart. & Eichl.) Engl. O rudimento seminal é hemítropo. O desenvolvimento do embrião é do tipo Cariofiláceo e o endosperma é do tipo Nuclear. O embrião maduro apresenta eixo hipocótilo-radicular curto, cilíndrico e cotilédones foliáceos. A semente madura armazena grãos de aleurona e lipídios nos cotilédones e nas células remanescentes do endosperma. A exotesta é composta de diversas camadas de células esclerificadas que também recobrem a região do hilo. Esta característica da exotesta foi registrada pela primeira vez em sementes de Chrysophyllum o que demonstra que esta pode ter importância ecológica e taxonômica.

The object of this study was to describe the embryo, endosperm and integument development of Chrysophyllum gonocarpum (Mart. & Eichl.) Engl. seed. The ovule is hemitropous, with embryo development being of the Caryophyllad type and the endosperm of the Nuclear type. The mature embryo presents a short and cylindrical hypocotyl-radicle axis with foliaceous cotyledons. The mature seed stores aleurone grains and lipids in the cotyledons and in the remaining endosperm cells. The exotesta is composed of several layers of sclerenchymatous cells, also present in the hilum region. This exotesta feature is registered for the first time in Chrysophyllum seeds and might have ecological and taxonomic implications.

Foi realizado o estudo florístico das macrófitas do Município de General Carneiro, localizado no sul do Estado do Paraná, entre as coordenadas 26º 19' 37"/ 26º 26' 40" S e 51º 26' 51"/ 51º 19' 14" W. Os locais de coleta foram as fazendas São Pedro, São Pedro II, Santa Cândida e Lageado Grande, entre os Rios São Pedro, São João, São Manoel, Iratim, Lajeado Grande e Neno. Com a finalidade de se conhecer a flora dos rios e lagoas da região foram realizadas coletas aleatórias das macrófitas entre 2004 e 2006. Os exemplares encontram-se depositados no herbário UPCB e MBM. Registraram-se 45 famílias, 42 de angiospermas, 70 gêneros e 117 espécies. Os ambientes aquáticos são caracterizados floristicamente pelas Cyperaceae, representada por 22 táxons, o que significa cerca de 21% de todos os táxons encontrados, seguidos pelas Poaceae (8), Asteraceae (7) e Polygonaceae (6). Dentre as espécies registradas podemos destacar o primeiro registro para o estado de Lilaeopsis minor Prez-Mor., Apiaceae.

A floristic study of macrophyte communities was conducted at General Carneiro township, situated in Southern Parana State, among 26º 19' 37"/ 26º 26' 40" S and 51º 26' 51"/ 51º 19' 14" W. Samples were collected at São Pedro, São Pedro II, Santa Cândida and Lageado Grande farms, between the rivers São Pedro, São João, São Manoel, Iratim, Lajeado Grande and Neno, in order to study the flora of the rivers and ponds in this region. Macrophyte samples were randomly collected between 2004 and 2006 and registered in the UPCB and MBM herbaria. A total of 45 families was found, 42 of them being angiosperms, 70 genera and 117 species. The aquatic environments are floristicaly characterized by Cyperaceae, represented by 22 taxa, what means approximately 21% of all the encountered taxa, followed by Poaceae (8), Asteraceae (7) and Polygonaceae (6). Among the registered species we can highlight the first record in this state of Lilaeopsis minor Prez-Mor, Apiaceae.

Na Região Sul do Brasil, no Planalto Serrano Catarinense, plantas do gênero Salix, chamadas popularmente de vime, são cultivadas para o artesanato de trançado. A mais comum na região é o híbrido Salix x rubens Schrank (Salicaceae). A Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária e Extensão Rural de Santa Catarina (EPAGRI) no município de Lages desenvolve um programa para o melhoramento da qualidade do vime da região. Amostras de ramos e do caule adulto de Salix x rubens foram coletadas, fixadas e seccionadas de acordo com técnicas usuais em anatomia da madeira, para descrição qualitativa e quantitativa do lenho, seguindo o IAWA Committee. A anatomia da madeira da espécie é caracterizada por vasos solitários, com placa de pefuração simples, pontoações intervasculares areoladas alternas, similares às raio-vasculares, parênquima axial apotraqueal difuso a escasso, fibras septadas e não septadas, com pontoações diminutas, areoladas a simples, raios unisseriados. A anatomia da madeira das amostras dos ramos e do caule adulto é bem parecida, diferindo somente na presença de camadas de crescimento nas amostras adultas. Nesse trabalho foi caracterizada a anatomia da madeira de ramos e caule adulto de Salix x rubens Schrank, ainda não descrita, visando contribuir para o melhor conhecimento da espécie.

In Southern Brazil, in the Plateau of the State of Santa Catarina, species of Salix (willow), vernacularly called "vime", are cultivated for weaving crafts. The hybrid Salix x rubens Schrank (Salicaeae) is the widely cultivated species in the region. The research institute "Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária e Extensão Rural de Santa Catarina (EPAGRI)" in the city of Lages, is developing a program to improve the quality of the willow for basketry. Wood samples of young rods and the main trunk of Salix x rubens were collected, fixed and sectioned according to usual techniques in wood anatomy. Qualitative and quantitative features were described, following the IAWA Committee recommendations. Wood anatomy is characterized by solitary vessels, with simple perforation plate, alternate bordered intervessel pits, vessel-ray pits similar to intervessel pits, axial parenchyma scanty apotracheal to diffuse, septate and non-septate fibres, with simple to minutely bordered pits, uniseriate rays. Wood of young and mature samples are very similar, differing only in the presence of growth rings in the latter. This work characterizes the wood anatomy of young and adult samples of Salix x rubens, not described so far, aiming to improve the knowledge about the species.

A ecologia da polinização de Swartzia apetala Raddi var. apetala foi estudada na restinga de Maricá, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. S. apetala var. apetala é um arbusto com floração do tipo anual assincrônica, entre os meses de novembro e abril (estação quente- chuvosa). Cada planta pode apresentar mais de um episódio de floração neste período. As flores são hermafroditas, apétalas, heterândricas, odoríferas e o polem constitui a única recompensa oferecida aos visitantes. É polinizada por espécies de Centris e Xylocopa, abelhas solitárias e poliléticas, que coletam o polem através do método de vibração. Nesta variedade de Swartzia a vibração é um método eficiente de coleta de polem apesar das anteras apresentarem deiscência rimosa. Outras abelhas, como Apis mellifera, Pseudaugochloropsis graminea e Trigona spinipes, são pilhadoras de pólen. A fenologia da floração e o comportamento dos visitantes florais influenciam a taxa de fertilização cruzada.

The pollination ecology of Swartzia apetala Raddi var. apetala was studied in the restinga of Maricá, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. S. apetala var. apetala is a shrub with asynchronic annual blooming, between the months of November and April (hot-rainy season). Each plant can exhibit more than one blooming episode in this period. Their flowers are hermaphrodites, apetalous, heterantherous, odoriferous, and the pollen represents the only reward offered to visitors. It is pollinized by species of Centris and Xylocopa, solitary and polyletic bees, which collect the pollen by means of vibratory movements. Other bees such as Apis mellifera, Pseudaugochloropsis graminea and Trigona spinipes are only pollen-thieves. In this variety of Swartzia vibrating is an efficient method to collect pollen from the anthers despite non-poricidal dehiscence.. The flowering phenology and the behavior of visitors influence the rate of outcrossing.