Abstract
A taxonomic revision and DNA sequence analysis of all species previously attributed to Rulingia R.Br. and Commersonia J.R.Forst. and G.Forst. resulted in two major groupings, referred to a redefined Commersonia and a new genus (Androcalva C.F.Wilkins Whitlock 2011). In total, 25 species are now recognised within Commersonia, including the type species of Rulingia, and 14 species previously included in Rulingia and 10 in Commersonia. Three of these are described as new (C. apella C.F.Wilkins, C. erythrogyna C.F.Wilkins and C. gilva C.F.Wilkins). A new subspecies, C. magniflora subsp. oblongifolia C.F.Wilkins, is recognised and C. bartramia (L.) Merr. var. tahitensis Dorr is raised to species level as C. tahitensis (Dorr) C.F.Wilkins Whitlock. Two new combinations are made, Rulingia platycalyx Benth. and R. parviflora Endl. as C. parviflora (Endl.) C.F.Wilkins Whitlock; and R. cistifolia Steetz and R. rugosa Steetz as C. rugosa (Steetz) F.Muell. The redefined Commersonia is monophyletic and characterised by anthers with sublatrorse dehiscence and mainly hairy staminodes, compared with extrorse dehiscence and glabrous staminodes as seen in Androcalva.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 226-283 |
| Number of pages | 58 |
| Journal | Australian Systematic Botany |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 4-5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 18 2011 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
- Plant Science