Piperaceae of Brazilian northeast II: Alagoas state

Abstract This study includes the taxonomic treatment of the Piperaceae species present in the Alagoas state, aiming to increase knowledge about the Alagoas flora and continuing the studies with the family in the Brazilian northeast. Thirty species of the family were recorded, distributed in the genus Peperomia (9 spp.) and Piper (21 spp.), of which eight are for the first time reported for the Alagoas state (3 and 5 spp. respectively). Although most of the taxa occur in forested areas, some of them can be found in restinga, brejo de altitude, agreste, cerrado and caatinga. Identification key for the occurring taxa, descriptions for the analyzed species, besides comments about geographical distribution, habitat, biological activity and illustrations of those poorly known, are provided.