Brasiliopteris is a genus of cheilanthoid ferns described in 2025. Formerly classified in Cheilanthes, the species of the genus are all endemic to Brazil. Closely related to Mineirella, it is distinguished by its narrower and more highly divided leaf blades.
The species belonging to Brasiliopteris were formerly classified in Cheilanthes. They are most similar to Mineirella, another segregate from Cheilanthes. However, species of Brasiliopteris have a more highly dissected leaf blade which is not broadest at or near the base, the coating of hairs on the underside is not as dense as in Mineirella, and the divisions of the leaf are on short stalks, rather than fused at the base.[1]
Taxonomy
The genus was described by Jefferson Prado, Eric Schuettpelz, and George Yatskievych in 2025 as part of a major phylogenetic reclassification of the hemionitid ferns.[1] While the species of the genus might be included in a broadly defined Cheilanthes, support for this clade is weak, and the authors and their collaborators preferred to recognize smaller genera with somewhat better morphological and geographic distinctions. Brasiliopteris forms a well-supported sister clade to Mineirella, but is significantly morphologically different, so it was defined as a new genus.[2] The name of the genus reflects its occurrence in Brazil.[1]
Species
As of October2025[update], two species are accepted in the genus by the Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World:[3]
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