In the neotropical genus Picramnia Sw., 19 species have been recognized for Brazil, from which 12 are exclusively brazilian. The main patterns of variation and geographical and ecological distribution of those taxa led to the recognizition of several categories of species: monotypic taxonomically isolated species, closely related pairs or groups of species, polytypic species and complex species. Three main patterns of geographic distribution of the brazilian species are pro posed and discussed: 1. Wide range (with 3 areas, 3 spp.); 2. Restrict range (with 4 areas, 8 sub-areas, 13 spp.); 3. Very restrict range<with-3 areas, 3 spp.). On a biogeographical basis, 5 "regions" with different groupments of taxa have been recognized: Amazon (8 spp.), Central and Northeastern Brazil (6 spp.), coastal region of Paraíba (7 spp.), and Southern Brazil (4 spp.) The major centers of genetic diversity of the genus in Brazil are the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest. Maps depicting the known distribution of the species discussed are presented.
Picramnia; Simaroubaceoe; neotropical; distribution patterns