Cactaceae in Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, Serra da Mantiqueira, Brazil

Abstract A floristic study of Cactaceae in Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, Serra da Mantiqueira, Brazil is provided. The family is represented in the area by five genera and 14 species, listed as follows: Hatiora salicornioides, Lepismium houlletianum, Pereskia aculeata, Rhipsalis agudoensis, R. campos-portoana, R. elliptica, R. floccosa subsp. pulvinigera, R. juengeri, R. neves-armondii, R. pilocarpa, R. pulchra, Schlumbergera lutea subsp. lutea, S. microsphaerica and S. opuntioides. Five species are included in different cathegories of threaten. The data suggests that the conservation and maintenance of this environmental protected area is relevant to provide subsidies to the knowledge of Cactaceae for the flora of Brazil. Identification key, morphological descriptions, illustrations, and comments on taxonomy and ecology are provided for each species.