Revision of Alyxia (Apocynaceae). Part 2: Pacific Islands and Australia

• Main Author: Middleton, (David J.)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2002
• Subjects: Alyxia; Apocynaceae; Australia; New Caledonia; Pacific Islands; taxonomic revision; Henderson Island; Pacific
• Online Access: https://repository.naturalis.nl/pub/524530

The genus Alyxia is revised for Australia and the islands of the Pacific Ocean as the second and final part of a complete revision of the genus. 39 species are recognised for this area of which three are new to science, two are new combinations and one is a new name. 14 species are found in Australia and its offshore territories, 21 species in New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands, and seven species in the other islands of the Pacific. There is relatively little overlap between regions: two species are found in Malesia and Australia; one species is found in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands; one species in Vanuatu and New Caledonia; and A. stellata is found in Australia, New Caledonia and into the Pacific as far as Hawaii and Henderson Island. Keys and descriptions for the species are given. Alyxia stellata and A. tisserantii are particularly variable and in need of further study. The new species are A. evansii D.J. Middleton,. A. solomonensis D.J. Middleton and A. veillonii D.J. Middleton; the new name is A. mucronata D.J. Middleton; and the new combinations are A. poyaensis (Boiteau) D.J. Middleton and A. tropica (P.I. Forst.) D.J. Middleton.