A taxonomic review of the genera Eriostemon and Philotheca (Rutaceae: Boronieae)

Abstract

A taxonomic review of the genera Eriostemon and Philotheca

Generic and infrageneric limits of Phebalium and its allies (Rutaceae: Zanthoxyloideae)

“…are confined to New Caledonia (Hartley 2003;Kubitzki et al 2011). The Eriostemon Group can be divided into two subgroups, one centred on Phebalium (see Wilson 1998a;Mole et al 2004;including Asterolasia, Chorilaena, Diplolaena, Leionema, Microcybe, Nematolepis, Phebalium and Rhadinothamnus) and the other on Eriostemon and Philotheca (including Crowea, Drummondita, Eriostemon, Geleznowia, Muiriantha and Philotheca), plus Correa, Halfordia, Myrtopsis and Neoschmidia.…”

“…In some genera of the Eriostemon Group, for example, Leionema and Nematolepis, there are highly disjunct species with distinctive morphological traits that potentially occupy isolated phylogenetic positions, and whose taxonomic placement requires clarification. Leionema ellipticum (NE Qld) differs from the remaining species in the genus by having minutely apiculate anthers (v. retuse) and a deeply grooved gynophore (v. smooth), and Wilson (1998aWilson ( , 2013a and Mole et al (2004) determined that it was sister to the remainder of the genus. Wilson (1998aWilson ( , 2013a indicated that it may warrant its own genus or subgenus.…”

“…Leionema ellipticum (NE Qld) differs from the remaining species in the genus by having minutely apiculate anthers (v. retuse) and a deeply grooved gynophore (v. smooth), and Wilson (1998aWilson ( , 2013a and Mole et al (2004) determined that it was sister to the remainder of the genus. Wilson (1998aWilson ( , 2013a indicated that it may warrant its own genus or subgenus. Nematolepis phebalioides Turcz.…”

“…is the only species of that genus found in south-western Australia and the study by Mole et al (2004) indicated that it is sister to a clade containing the remaining species of the genus that are confined to south-eastern Australia. It differs from all other members of the genus by having pendent flowers with a fused corolla (v. erect flowers and unfused petals) (Wilson 1998a). Pendulous flowers, often associated with bird pollination, are also found in Chorilaena, Diplolaena, Muiriantha and in some species of Philotheca in south-western Australia, and most species of Correa and several species of Leionema in southeastern Australia.…”

“…The putative relationships were based on seed, anther, and other floral characters. Wilson (1998a) and Bayly (1998) restricted the concept of Eriostemon to the typical section and transferred other species and sections to an expanded Philotheca. Wilson (1998b) also adopted a narrower concept of Phebalium that retained only those species placed in the typical section.…”