In this opinion article, we question the tendency to treat human interactions with plants as a cognitive deficit through terms such as botanical blindness, botanical imperception, or plant awareness disparity (PAD). Rather than denying the existence of the phenomenon these terms attempt to describe, we argue that it should be interpreted as part of a broader and naturally evolved process of differential attention. We contend that naming this perceptual tendency as a distinct and pathological entity disregards the evolutionary basis of human cognition and perception. Cultural and contextual factors modulate interaction with plants, and less attention is paid to them in modern environments, reflecting sociocultural influences rather than cognitive flaws. We advocate for educational approaches that embrace human perceptual plasticity, promoting reconnection with plant diversity without invoking notions of dysfunction.

Keywords:
Animacy; cognitive bias; differential attention; plant awareness disparity; ethnobiology; ethnobotany; naturalistic mind

Full Article: https://www.scielo.br/j/abb/a/VcPZ6cyqgXVBWKmYbq68Hqx/

Asteraceae is one of the most diverse families in the world, especially in mountainous regions such as Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. The objectives of this work were to carry out a floristic survey of Asteraceae in the municipality of Barra da Estiva, discuss the distribution of species found, and analyze the similarity between the Asteraceae diversity in Barra da Estiva and other previously evaluated areas. Herbaria were reviewed, and three field trips were carried out. Barra da Estiva houses 98 species of Asteraceae grouped into 46 genera and 13 tribes. The tribes Vernonieae (34 spp.) and Eupatorieae (24 spp.) were the most diverse, especially the genera Baccharis (7 spp.) and Lepidaploa (7 spp.). A matrix of species presence/absence for different phytophysiognomies was elaborated according to the rendered species list and previous Asteraceae surveys in Chapada Diamantina. Although previous research considered the Chapada Diamantina a single phytogeographic unit, our results suggest its possible subdivision into two bioregions: ‘Piemonte da Diamantina’, including areas of the extreme northeast, and Central-South Chapada, encompassing areas from the central-south region.

Keywords:
Compositae; Espinhaço Range; Floristic diversity; Floristic inventories

Full Article: https://www.scielo.br/j/abb/a/KDPkh4qRQSRq6Db8Wdw6psJ/

The genus Zornia J.F.Gmel. (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae) includes around 80 species and is unique in the Adesmia clade for its pantropical distribution. Despite its ecological significance, taxonomic studies on Zornia are scarce. There is no information on the conservation status of its species, although many of which are narrowly endemics. This study updates the taxonomic and distributional knowledge of Zornia in the Neotropics and includes an identification key, field photographs, maps and conservation assessments based on IUCN Red List criteria. The research involved reviewing literature and analyzing specimens from 50 herbarium collections, documenting 50 species in the Neotropics. Conservation assessments indicate significant concerns for many Zornia species, with only three classified as Least Concern. Additionally, the study provides second-step lectotypifications for two species and re-establishes two other names at species rank. This study contributes to a refined understanding of Zornia taxonomy and emphasizes the need for targeted conservation efforts in the Neotropics.

Keywords:
Conservation; Dry environments; Fabaceae; Neotropical region; Taxonomy

Full Article: https://www.scielo.br/j/abb/a/BmPGHwwvkqWBJdZ7vFvJN7h/