The systematic distribution of vascular epiphytes - a critical update

Abstract

Vascular epiphyte species exclusively, or at least primarily, germinate and grow on other plants without contact with the soil and, in contrast to mistletoes, without parasitizing their hosts. The last review of the systematic distribution of this diverse group of plants dates back more than two decades. The present study pursues three major goals: (1) it critically discusses conceptual problems arising from the distinction of epiphytes from non‐epiphytes; (2) it presents a compilation of epiphytic diversity derived from a vast number of sources; and (3) it arranges epiphyte diversity in an up‐to‐date taxonomic framework. The resulting compilation, which identifies 27 614 species of vascular epiphytes (including primary hemiepiphytes) representing 913 genera in 73 families, or approximately 9% of extant vascular plant diversity, is meant to be an important tool for studies on the ecology and evolution of epiphytes, but also for comparative studies with a focus on other life forms. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London

Floristic composition of a Neotropical inselberg from Espírito Santo state, Brazil: an important area for conservation

“…Relevance of Orchidaceae, Bromeliaceae, Polypodiaceae, Cactaceae and Piperaceae families for species richness of the studied inselberg is mainly due to the important contribution of epiphytism in these families (Zotz 2013) that are mainly present in woody thickets. Of the most important families, only Bromeliaceae and Cactaceae are recognized as typical components of South American inselbergs, along with other smaller families represented in this study like Velloziaceae, Commelinaceae, Lentibulariaceae and Xyridaceae (Porembski 2007).…”

Diversity, vertical structure and floristic relationships of vascular epiphytes in an urban remnant of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

“…These families are also the richest ones in terms of vascular epiphytes (Gentry & Dodson 1987, Benzing 1990, Zotz 2013.…”

“…This synusia has great ecological importance, providing resources, such as fruits, nectar, pollen and water to the fauna and microhabitats to several animal groups (Benzing 1990). Vascular epiphytes are represented by about 29,000 species, or 10% of all vascular flora, distributed in 876 genera and 84 families (Zotz 2013). Globally seen, the Orchidaceae, Araceae and Bromeliaceae are the richest families (Gentry & Dodson 1987, Zotz 2013.…”

“…Vascular epiphytes are represented by about 29,000 species, or 10% of all vascular flora, distributed in 876 genera and 84 families (Zotz 2013). Globally seen, the Orchidaceae, Araceae and Bromeliaceae are the richest families (Gentry & Dodson 1987, Zotz 2013. The Brazilian Atlantic forest, an important global biodiversity hotspot (Myers et al 2000), exhibits similar configuration of the richest epiphyte families, with about 2,256 species, mainly distributed in the Orchidaceae (46.5%), Bromeliaceae (26.2%), Polypodiaceae (4.3%) and Araceae (4.2%) (Freitas et al 2016).…”

Diversity and distribution of epiphytic bromeliads in a Brazilian subtropical mangrove

“…The Bromeliaceae is a rich family of vascular plants, with about 3160 species, of which more than 60% are epiphytes (Zotz 2013). The composition and distribution of epiphytic bromeliads are influenced by the characteristics of hosts.…”