The genus Catopsis (Bromeliaceae: Tillandsioideae) in the Paraná state: taxonomic and anatomical aspects

Abstract Catopsis is represented by 19 species distributed among the three Americas. Two species occurs in Brazil, Catopsis berteroniana distributed in Northeast, Southeast and South region and Catopsis sessiliflora, with a broadly distribution, also found in the North. The aim of this work was to perform a taxonomic and morphoanatomic study of the species of Catopsis occuring in Paraná state. In order to do so, botanical expeditions occurred during the periods of Jul/2013-Jun/2014 just as the visits to HUPG, MBM and UPCB herbarium. The collected specimens were identified, herborized, and deposited in the HUPG herbarium. For the morphoanatomic study semi-permanent slides were prepared from the middle region of the sheath and leaf from transverse and longitudinal sections obtained free hand and mounted in glycerinated gelatin. For Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis portions of leaf blade and sheath were dehydrated for observation. As results, we provide descriptions, period of flowering and fruiting, identification keys, geographic distribution, the ecophysiological rating, morphology and anatomy comments, and conservation status of the species.