ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to evaluate the morphological and productive characteristics of five genotypes of Desmanthus spp. submitted to two cutting intensities (20 and 40 cm), in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco. Of the genotypes studied, three were derived from ecotypes collected in municipalities of Pernambuco (7G, 31D and 50J) and two were from the state of Sergipe, coming from Australia (10AU and 13AU). Four cuttings were made with a frequency of 60 days. The treatments were randomized in blocks, with split plots and three replications. The variables studied were plant height, stem diameter, canopy diameter, the number of leaves per branch, LAI, leaf yield, stem yield, pod yield and forage yield, and leaf stem -1 ratio and pod stem-1 ratio. Genotypes 7G and 31D had higher forage yield and a larger number of leaves per branch. Forage yield was higher in the intensity of 20 cm. The cuttings reduced the total yield, stem yield, pods yield and forage yield, of the different genotypes studied. For leaf stem-1 ratio, the genotype 13AU was higher than genotypes 7G and 50J in the cutting intensity of 40 cm. Genotype 10AU had the highest pod stem-1 ratios in the three cuttings. The differences shown between genotypes of Desmanthus spp., especially 7G and 31D, in the intensity of 20 cm, indicate the possibility of selecting promising materials for cultivation in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco, with desirable morphological and productive characteristics to the forage plants.