The high biodiversity and richness of the coastal zone make it an important ecosystem to be preserved. The aim of this study is to list the species composition of the restinga area (147 ha.) of Paiva beach, in Cabo de Santo Agostinho-Pernambuco (08º07'30"S and 35º00'55"W) and describe the physiognomies. Floristic survey was carried out for 28 months for all strata. The soil was classified as Quartzarenic Neosoil and two physiognomies were determined: unflooded forest and unflooded open shrubby vegetation. One hundred-twenty-four species were recorded, distributed in 103 genera and 55 families. The families with the highest number of species were: Myrtaceae (11), Cyperaceae (10), Fabaceae (8), Euphorbiaceae (7), Rubiaceae (6) and Asteraceae (5). Anacardium occidentale, Byrsonima sericea, Chamaecrista ramosa, Marlierea schotti, Myrcia rotundifolia, Protium heptaphyllum and Tapirira guianensis are generally found in the majority of the sandy coastal plain in northeastern Brazil. However, due to insufficient studies, endemic species were not detected.
Restinga vegetation; floristic composition; physiognomies
