ABSTRACT
(Patterns of geographic distribution of the Brazilian species of Pfaffia (Amaranthaceae)) The Brazil constitutes the main diversity center of the neotropical genus Pfaffia, with ca. 20 species, of which 19 occur in the "Cerrado" biogeographic province. Their species present distribution patterns ranging from wide to endemic. The poorest provinces in number of species are the "Amazônica" and "Pampeana" with three species each. The State of Minas Gerais can be considered the center of diversity and endemism with species occurring mainly in the savanna-like "cerrados" and rocky grasslands of the "campos rupestres".
Key words:
diversity; distribution patterns; cerrado; Minas Gerais; campos rupestres