J Syst Evol ›› 2013, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (1): 94-114.DOI: 10.1111/j.1759-6831.2012.00223.x

• Research Articles • Previous Articles    

Taxonomic revision of the Symplocos nakaharae complex (Symplocaceae) with special reference to fruit morphology

1,2Bo LIU 1Hai-Ning QIN*   

  1. 1 (State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China)
    2 (Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)
  • Received:2011-12-25 Published:2012-09-24

Abstract: Over 70 species and infraspecific taxa have been described in the Symplocos nakaharae (Hayata) Masam. complex (Symplocaceae), and the taxonomy of this complex has been controversial. To provide a rational taxonomic revision of the complex, extensive field observations were carried out and approximately 800 herbarium specimens, covering the whole distribution range, were examined to evaluate the taxonomic importance of morphological characteristics. Our studies recognized 13 species and one subspecies, including S. boninensis, S. henryi, S. kawakamii, S. lucida, S. nakaharae, S. migoi, S. multipes, S. pergracilis, S. setchuensis, S. shilanensis, S. tanakae, S. tetragona, S. theifolia, and S. lucida subsp. howii comb. nov. One new combination is made and two new synonyms, S. ernestii Dunn var. pubicalyx C. Chen syn. nov. and S. kuroki Nagam. syn. nov., are recognized. Two identification keys are provided, based primarily on flower and fruit characters. Detailed morphological descriptions and geographical distribution information of the 14 taxa are given.

Key words: fruit morphology, Symplocos nakaharae complex, Symplocaceae, taxonomic revision.