This paper presents a checklist of Euphorbiaceae of the semi-arid area - Caatinga zone, subzones Agreste and Sertão - in Pernambuco State (Northeast of Brazil). Materials from field work done from 1997 to 1999 and from the local Herbaria (IRA, PEUFR, TASH and UFP), were studied. Up to now, 89 species, distributed within 22 genera have been listed. Croton L. (21), Cnidoscolus Pohl (7), Dalecliampia Plum, ex L. (6), Euphorbia L. (6) and Phyllanthus L. (6), were the most important genera as regards number of species. Caperonia castanefolia A. St.-Hil, Euphorbia phosphorea Mart, and Rotnanoa tamnoides (A. Juss.) Radcl.-Sm. are new records for Pernambuco State.
Euphorbiaceae; Semi-arid; Pernambuco State; Brazil