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Pontederiaceae is a small family of Monocots, composed of two genera (i.e., Heteranthera and Pontederia) and ca. 40 species. Two genera and 27 species are accepted for Brazil. In the state of Espírito Santo, Heteranthera is represented by two species and Pontederia by four species. Its species are exclusively found growing in aquatic or paludal, perennial or seasonal environments. We present descriptions, comments, and illustrations for the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is a part of the Flora do Espírito Santo project. The aim was to morphologically characterize the species of Commelinaceae occurring in the state of Espírito Santo and provide data on their geographical distribution, phenology, and comments. Fieldwork and herbarium studies were carried out. A total of 38 species, arranged in 10 genera, were recorded. Dichorisandra is the richest genus (17 species), followed by Commelina (seven spp.), Tradescantia (four spp.), Siderasis (three spp.), Tripogandra (two spp.), and Aneilema, Callisia, Floscopa, Gibasis and Tinantia (one species each). Two species are herein described as new to science, and the synonymization of D. albomarginata is proposed under the older D. procera. Inflorescence (type and position), stamens (number, color, and anther dehiscence), fruit (shape and ornamentation), and seeds (ornamentation, the position of the embryotega, and hilum shape) are the key diagnostic morphological characters for genus and species delimitation. Most of the species richness and abundance are concentrated in the mountain region of Espírito Santo, one of the largest forest areas in the state, showing the importance of conserving the remaining Atlantic Forest's fragments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dichorisandra acaulis group has its circumscription broadened to include two additional species, viz. D. oxypetala and the herein newly described D. forzzae. Dichorisandra oxypetala has previously not been included in this morphological group due to its deviant vegetative morphology. However, its reproductive morphology is congruent with the D. acaulis group and, thus, it is here included as a member of the later. Dichorisandra forzzae is here described to accommodate the specimens with anthers dehiscent through one apical pore, erroneously identified as D. acaulis in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. We provide illustrations, taxonomic comments and an updated identification key for the species of the D. acaulis morphological group. Furthermore, a table of comparison among the morphologically similar species of the Dichorisandra acaulis group is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]