A survey of the species of Pteridophytes which were collected in about 55 municipalities in the State of Pernambuco was made in order to study the distribution of the pteridophytic flora over several physiographic zones. Through this study, the number of species of Pteridophytes was increased in the State. One hundred and twenty-one species were referred by Pontual. Now, 194 species were presented, including Pontual's species, with information about frequency and dispersion per phytogeographical zones. From those 194 species which were found, 3 occur in the littoral zone (none of the species are limited to this zone); 162 species were referred to humid forest subzone with 96 species limited to this area; 37 species to dry forest subzone with 4 species limited to this third area; 65 species to sierra forest subzone or "brejo" of altitude with 16 species limited to this fourth area. Eight species were referred to savannah zone ("tabuleiros") and 26 species occurred in different zones of the "caatinga" of "sertão". Selaginella sellowii Hieron is limited to this area and Selaginella convoluta (Am.) Spring, is very frequent in this area. The species are distributed among the following families: Ophioglossaceae, Marattiaceae, Schizaeaceae, Gleicheniaceae, Hymenophyllaceae, Cyatheaceae, Pteridaceae, Vittariaceae, Dennstaedtiaceae, Thelypteridaceae, Dryopteridaceae, Aspleniaceae, Davalliaceae, Blechnaceae, Polypodiaceae, Marsileaceae, Salviniaceae, Psilotaceae, Lycopodiaceae and Selaginellaceae. Anemia tomentosa (Sav.) Sw. shows the widest distribution. It can be found from humid forest subzone of "caatinga" of "sertão do Jatinã".
distribution; Pteridophytes; PE