Studies in the northeastern upland forests (brejo de altitude) indicate that the humid ones show higher richness of species and have more floristic simalarity with the lowland humid forests. Considering the lack of data about humid sub-montane forests, a survey was carried out in the upland forest of Bonito, Pernambuco, aiming to identify their floristic composition. Voucher, habit, and pattern of distribution of each species are presented. The results were compared with 22 surveys in the northeastern Atlantic Rainforest (latu sensu). Two hundred and seventeen species, distributed in 65 families, were sampled at the study area. Among those, 50% were cited in other upland forests and lowland forests in Pernambuco and Bahia States. The majority of species are scattered along South America, occurring from the north portion, penetrating through the Atlantic coast, as well as in the Brazilian central plateau, and sometimes reaching the semi-arid regions within the upland forests. Another important group of species are distributed starting at Central America to the middle region of South America, with a few occurring also in the south of North America (United States and Mexico).
sub-montane ombrophilous forest; Northeastern Brazil; upland forest; distribution pattern
