New genus and species records of Bromeliaceae in the Caatinga of Rio Grande do Norte state, northeastern Brazil: Orthophytum disjunctum L.B. Sm. (Bromelioideae) and Tillandsia paraibensis R.A. Pontes (Tillandsioideae)

Abstract

In the present work we describe the first occurrence of the genus Orthophytum (Bromeliaceae, Bromelioideae) and of the species Tillandsia paraibensis within the state of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil. Both taxa were recorded on inselbergs in areas of caatinga. These findings are important, improving the knowledge of the Flora of Rio Grande do Norte and giving a better understand of the biogeography of Brazilian bromeliads.