ABSTRACT
The taxonomic study of species in the genus Phyllanthus L. in the caatinga biome of the State of Pernambuco was carried out based on morphological analysis of fresh material or from specimen vouchers of the local herbaria. Eleven taxa were recorded: Phyllanthus acuminatus Vahl, P. amarus Schumach. & Thonn., P. caroliniensis Walt. subsp. caroliniensis, P. claussenii Müll. Arg., P. heteradenius Müll. Arg., P. jacobinensis Müll. Arg., P. klotzschianus Müll. Arg., P. minutulus Müll. Arg., P niruri L., P. orbiculatus Rich., P. stipulatus (Raf.) Webster. and P. tenellus Roxb. The main morphological features used for delimitation of the species were habit, branching pattern, shape of the glandular disk on both male and female flowers, number and union of the stamens, type of dehiscence of anthers and seed coat. Most species present geographical distribution in steppe-savannah vegetation on different vegetational physiognomies (Agreste and Sertão). Only P. acuminatus Vahl., P. minutulus Müll. Arg. and P. stipulatus (Raf.) Webster occur exclusively in the upland forests within the Agreste Zone.
Key words:
Phyllanthus; Euphorbiaceae; Taxonomy; Caatinga; Pernambuco’s state