Abstract
This study was undertaken in "Parque Nacional do Catimbau", located in Pernambuco, Brazilian northeastern semiarid, where 101 species of climbing plants were recorded. The species belong to 54 genera and 18 families. The most diverse families were Convolvulaceae (23), Apocynaceae (13), Fabaceae (12) and Malpighiaceae (11). The wood and herbaceous climbing plants have an equivalent values, 51% and 49% respectively. As regards the attachment mechanisms, twining was the most frequent, occurring in 70% of the species. New occurrences of species in Pernambuco and in the Caatinga were recorded. Identification key, descriptions and comments on the species and illustrations of some diagnostic characters are presented.
Key words:
Caatinga; floristic; flora; lianas; taxonomy