This study was based on morphological analysis of dry material and field observations. The 17 species found in Pernambuco are recognized by sepal number and shape, number and fusion of the stamens, inflorescence sex and seed coat ornamentation. Six species (P. amarus Schum. & Thonn., P. tenellus Roxb., P. caroliniensis Walt. subsp. caroliniensis, P. niruri L., P. orbiculatus L.C. Rich. and P. stipulatus (Raf.) Webster) are widely distributed in Pernambuco; four (P. chacoensis Morong, P. klotzschianus Müll. Arg., P. heteradenius Müll. Arg., P. claussenii Müll. Arg.) are restricted to the caatinga biome, where P. chacoensis is restricted to riparian vegetation of the São Francisco River. The other species (P. acuminatus Vahl, P. subemarginatus Müll. Arg., P. minutulus Müll. Arg., P. hypoleucus Müll. Arg., P. juglandifolius Willd., P. urinaria L. and P. grandyi M.J. Silva & M.F. Sales) are found in forest habitats of the "Zona da Mata", including montane forests or "brejos de altitude". Identification keys, comments on morphological relationships and geographic distribution and illustrations are provided.
Phyllanthus; Euphorbiaceae; taxonomy; diversity
