Flora of Acanthaceae of Iguaçu National Park, Paraná, Brazil

Abstract Species of Acanthaceae are predominantly associated with conserved forest environments such as Iguacu National Park (PARNA Iguacu), which is composed of Semideciduous Seasonal Forest and Araucaria forest. The aim of this work was to perform a floristic study of Acanthaceae of PARNA Iguacu, with botanical illustrations, an identification key and descriptions of the species. Collections were carried out monthly from August 2015 to July 2016, in the areas of Ceu Azul, Capanema and Foz do Iguacu. The individuals collected were deposited in the UNOP herbarium and the specimens present in the herbaria EVB, HCF, MBM and UNOP, as well as in the virtual herbaria Reflora and SpeciesLink, were analyzed. A total of 13 native species were recorded from Atlantic Forest, distributed in seven genera. Justicia was the most representative, with five species. In all, 12 new records were made for PARNA Iguacu, of which eight are new records for Semideciduous Seasonal Forest. Of the species found, three are threatened with extinction, one of which is considered vulnerable and two are categorized as endangered, which reinforces the role of PARNA Iguacu in in-situ conservation in the state of Parana.