Vascular flora and life forms in one hectare of caatinga in Brazilian Northeastern

Abstract

This work aimed at describing the floristic profile and life forms of vascular plants recorded in one hectare of caatinga sensu stricto in the State of Pernambuco. A total of 101 plant species was recorded, in 39 families, among which Euphorbiaceae and Mimosaceae outlined by the greatest richness.
Herbs were represented by 60 species. Regarding life forms, 36 species of therophytes, 23 phanaerophytes (of which 13 microphanaerophytes, seven nanophanaerophytes and three mesophanaerophytes), 16 chamaephytes, 13 hemicryptophytes, and one geophyte were recorded. Twelve species
could not be identified in respect to life forms. Comparing the results of different areas of caatinga vegetation with others distinct deciduous vegetation types within the semi-arid (carrasco and decidual forest), caatinga has low proportion of phanaerophytes and high of therophytes.