A checklist of the economically and ecologically important subfamily Maloideae (Rosaceae) is presented. One thousand one hundred and ten species are recognised in 23 genera, as well as 33 species in 13 intergeneric hybrid genera. An alphabetic arrangement is used within each taxonomic rank. The larger genera are subdivided into infrageneric groupings to represent structure. Several new infrageneric taxa were created to reconcile different sources. This checklist is believed to be complete to 1986 and represents the compilation and synthesis of over 170 publications. The following new names are published: Crataegus series Henryanae Phipps, ser.nov. et stat.nov.; Crataegus section Hupehensis Phipps, sect.nov.; Crataegus series Hupehenses Phipps, ser.nov.; Crataegus section Lacrimatae Phipps, sect, et stat.nov.; Malacomeles paniculata (Rehder) Phipps, comb.nov.; Sorbus subgen. Micromeles (Decne.) Phipps, Robertson & Spongberg, subgen. et stat.nov.; Sorbus section Albo-carmesini H.A. McAllister, sect.nov.
Flowers of 169 species of Rosaceae subfamily Maloideae, which were chosen to represent the taxonomic and geographic diversity of the group, were studied to ascertain their morphological variation and its systematic relevance. We describe and illustrate variation in size, indumentum, color, and macroscopic structural features. Most maloid species have syncarpous flowers with two to five carpels in which the ovary is at least three-quarters inferior, whereas species of other Rosaceae subfamilies have apocarpous or unicarpellate flowers with superior ovaries. However, maloid flowers show significant variation in the degree of carpel connation and of ovary adnation to the hypanthium. Cotoneaster. Heteromeles, and Pyracantha are completely apocarpous, and Dichotomanthes is perigynous with a completely superior ovary. Thus, no one floral character is sufficient to separate the Maloideae from other subfamilies of Rosaceae. Differences among their flowers support our recognition of Malus. Pyrus, and Sorbus as separate genera. Further, we argue for removal of Docyniopsis and Eriolobus from Malus. division of Sorb us into several genera, and union of Aronia, Photinia, and Stranvaesia. No floral characters support the traditional dichotomy of the subfamily into tribes Crataegeae and Sorbeae.
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