The Asteraceae flora of the Serra do Ibitipoca: analyses of its diversity and distribution compared with selected areas in Brazilian mountain ranges

A checklist for the Asteraceae of the Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca is presented, with an analysis of the family's geographic distribution in 10 Brazilian montane rocky fields (campos rupestres and campos de altitude). A total of 111 species belonging to 50 genera, placed in 12 tribes was found. The Eupatorieae, the Vernonieae, the Astereae, Baccharis, Mikania and Lessingianthus were the most diverse tribes and genera, respectively. The Ibitipoca Asteraceae flora was most similar to those of Itacolomi (Minas Gerais State) and Itatiaia (Rio de Janeiro State). Cluster and ordination analyses indicated that the dominant vegetation and geoclimate were important in determining the local composition, but the relationships according to the similarity values among areas were shown only in the ordination analyses. In addition to local factors, historical biogeographic elements are essential to understand the distribution of Asteraceae in these areas.