This study was carried out in 14 fragments of Araucaria Forest, with Cfb climate, precipitation 1,450 mm/year and annual average temperature 16.7 ºC. 96 native and ten exotic species were recorded in 21 families. Orchidaceae (35 species), Polypodiaceae (14 spp.) and Bromeliaceae (12 spp.) were the richest families. The number of native species in the fragments varied from ten to 64. Vascular epiphyte richness of Subtropical Ombrophilous Forest is lower than in tropical coastal rainforests but higher than in Brazilian seasonal forests. Climate type, forest coverage and degree and intensity of fragment disturbance are the most important aspects that interfere with the maintenance and expansion of epiphytic communities.
floristic composition; subtropical forest; vascular epiphytes; urban forests
