ABSTRACT(Distribution of the endophytic fungi community in leaves of Bauhinia brevipes (Fabaceae)). Endophytic fungi represent large, yet unexplored components of biodiversity. Th is work evaluated the richness and the distribution of endophytes in the leaves of Bauhinia brevipes (Fabaceae). A total of 1110 colonies were recovered from the samples and grouped by their morphological traits into 126 taxa. Th e total number of taxa according to leaf development was: 102 in mature leaves, 93 in recently expanded leaves and 79 for unfolded leaves. Th e major endophyte genera were Phomopsis, followed by Dothiorella, Pestalotiopsis and Acremonium. Th e richness and the isolate numbers of endophytes were not statistically aff ected by leaf region. However, some taxa were leaf-age specifi c; six were isolated only from unfolded leaves, nine from recently expanded leaves and 17 were exclusively found in mature leaves. Th e composition of endophytes varied with leaf region; the similarities (Jaccard's Index) among the leaf regions of diff erent leaf ages ranged from 0.36 to 0.46, indicating a high spatial variation in the community of endophytic fungi inside the leaves. Th e high richness of endophytes in this host plant highlights a signifi cant contribution of fungi to tropical biodiversity and the need for further research in this area.