This study analyzed the structure and floristic composition of an open scrub restinga at Parque Estadual de Itaúnas, Espírito Santo and verified the similarity between floras of the restinga formations in southeastern Brazil. The line intercept method was applied to sample individuals equal or greater than 50 cm tall. The frequency and an importance value were estimated. The similarity of the flora of the restinga formations in southeastern Brazil was performed using the Sørensen index. We surveyed 42 species in 28 families, being Fabaceae and Bromeliaceae the richest families (four species each). The 10 most important species represented 65.6% of the total importance value, showing a strong oligarchic structure, especially in the herbaceous layer. Thus, we identified some species that characterize this formation, which is associated with environmental factors that constrain floristic composition and abundance. The similarity analysis evidenced two distinct floristic blocks of southeastern restingas, one in the north (the coast of Espírito Santo) and another further to the south (coast of Rio de Janeiro). Some species were common to all analyzed resting formations - Manilkara subsericea, Pilosocereus arrabidae and Byrsonima sericea and may be considered of wide distribution on the southeast coast.
open scrub restinga; phytossociology; line intercept method; sandy coastal plains; Pleistocene
