Revision of Plerandra (Araliaceae). I. A synopsis of the genus with an expanded circumscription and a new infrageneric classification

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Revision of Plerandra (Araliaceae). I. A synopsis of the genus with an expanded circumscription and a new infrageneric classification

Phylogenetic studies have demonstrated that Schefflera, the largest genus of Araliaceae,

is grossly polyphyletic, comprising five distinct clades within the family. In an effort

to establish monophyletic genera among the elements that currently comprise Schefflera, the

genus Plerandra is expanded to encompass all of the members of one of these clades. In this

synoptical revision, a new infrageneric classification is presented (along with a key) in which

six subgenera are recognized. Four of these subgenera are newly described (Plerandra

subgenera Canacoschefflera, Costatae, Gabriellarum, and Veilloniorum) and a fifth represents

a new combination (Plerandra subg. Dizygotheca). A total of 33 species (one with

two subspecies) are accepted, one ofwhich is newly described (P. veilloniorum), and22new

combinations are made (P. actinostigma, P. baillonii, P. cabalionii, P. costata, P. crassipes,

P. elegantissima, P. elongata, P. emiliana, P. gabriellae, P. leptophylla, P. nono, P. osyana,

P. osyana subsp. toto, P. pachyphylla, P. pancheri, P. plerandroides, P. polydactylis, P.

reginae, P. seemanniana, P. tannae, P. vanuatua, P. veitchii). Neotypes are provided for

six accepted names and one heterotypic synonym, and lectotypes are designated for 13

accepted names and 16 heterotypic synonyms. For each accepted species, full synonymy is

provided along with geographic range and notes.