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.