Macrophytes from Parque Estadual de Itaúnas, Espírito Santo, Brazil

Abstract Macrophytes are organisms that have active photosynthetic parts and may be permanently or seasonally submerged, or floating. Given the ecological and physiognomic relevance of the group, this study aimed to determine the richness of aquatic plants from the Parque Estadual de Itaúnas (PEI), Espírito Santo, Brazil, and its floristic links with other areas in the Atlantic Forest. A total of 66 species, 48 genera and 31 families of aquatic macrophytes were found for PEI, of which two are unpublished records for Brazil (Sesbania herbacea and Utricularia biloba), five for the state (Ipomoea bahiensis, Ludwigia cf filiformis, Ludwigia hyssopifolia, Mollugo verticillata, Paspalum repens) and 49 new occurrences for PEI. Most of species are represented by angiosperms and only three species belong to Ferns and Licophytes. The similarity analysis results revealed two groups, one formed exclusively by areas considered as “restingas” while another is composed by areas with different plant physiognomies. Thus, new records allied to the low similarity of species composition make evident the importance of the area for the conservation of aquatic macrophytes from the Atlantic Forest.