Bromelia, Taxonomy, Eastern Amazon, Flora

The Bromeliaceae family, comprising 79 genera and 3,679 species, spans from the southern USA to Patagonia, with a few species outside the neotropical zone. Brazil hosts the highest diversity with 55 genera and 1,407 species, 33% of which are endemic. The Amazon region has 18 genera and 157 species. Aechmea, described in 1794, is one of the largest genera, characterized by perennial herbs that propagate through basal rhizomes. Recent phylogenetic studies have improved understanding of the evolutionary relationships within the genus. In Pará, Aechmea is represented by 29 species across 58 of the 144 municipalities, with Belém being the most diverse. This study aims to investigate the richness, ecology, composition, and conservation status of Aechmea in Pará, providing a detailed taxonomic treatment.