A taxonomic revision of Phyllanthus subgenus Macraea (Phyllanthaceae)

Verwijs J.I.M., Bouman R.W., Welzen P.C. van (2019)

Article / Letter to editor

Within the morphologically diverse pantropical genus Phyllanthus, many subgenera, sections and subsections
are recognized. While most taxonomic revisions often focus on local floras, closely related and often resembling
species are not always treated in full. Subgenus Macraea is here revised for the first time over its whole
distribution, including an identification key and descriptions of its species with distributions, ecology, uses and
vernacular names. The currently acknowledged varieties of Phyllanthus distichus are rejected due to inadequate
morphological differences. Phyllanthus panayensis is synonymized with P. lancifolius. Phyllanthus alpestris has
now become a variety of P. glaucophyllus because of the resemblance in morphology and distribution. The species complex around Phyllanthus virgatus remains taxonomically difficult, but Phyllanthus virgatus var. gardnerianus and Phyllanthus virgatus var. hirtellus are here recognized on the species level as P. gardnerianus, stat nov. and P. tararae, stat & nom. nov. A new species from the Philippines, Phyllanthus ridsdalei, is described.

• botany
• taxonomy
• hortus

• All authors: Verwijs J.I.M., Bouman R.W., Welzen P.C. van
• Committee: Verwijs, J.I.M.
• Date: 2019-10-25
• Journal: Blumea
• Volume: 64
• Pages: 231 - 252
• DOI: doi:10.3767/blumea.2019.64.03.05
• Link: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/blumea/pre-prints/content-nbc...