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Abstract

(Bromeliaceae in the APA Santuário Ecológico da Pedra Branca, Caldas, Minas Gerais). The Environmental Protection Area Ecological Sanctuary of Pedra Branca is located in the municipality of Caldas, southern Minas Gerais state. In their 119 km2, the altitude is always above 1000m, reaching 1760m in the Pedra Branca. The region of Caldas raises interest since the mid-nineteenth century, when the naturalist Anders F. Regnell conducted extensive collections of local flora, listing several species of Bromeliaceae. Of 19 species of Bromeliaceae identified, Tillandsia (9 species), Aechmea (3) and Vriesea (3) were the best represented genera, while Billbergia, Bromelia, Dyckia and Wittrockia showed only one species. It is described for the first time the occurrence of T. pohliana, T. recurvata, T. streptocarpa and T. tricholepis in the study area, despite intensive Regnell expeditions. Two species are rediscovered at the type locality and six have exclusive habitat. The greater diversity of Bromeliaceae occurs along the Serra da Pedra Branca, is due to the integrity of the flora or a combination of altitude, climate and topography that favour the emergence of a mosaic of vegetation types. Key words: Bromeliaceae, Caldas, A. F. Regnell, Serra da Pedra Branca.