Nesogordonia tricarpellata (Dombeyaceae), a new species from Madagascar that compels modification of the morphological circumscription of the genus

PhytoKeys. 2011:(2):9-15. doi: 10.3897/PhytoKeys.2.747. Epub 2011 Feb 11.

Abstract

Nesogordonia tricarpellata Skema & Dorr, sp. nov., a new species from southeastern Madagascar, is described and illustrated. It differs from all other species of Nesogordonia Baill. in having 6-9 stamens, 3 staminodes, a 3-carpellate ovary, and a 3-valved capsule. These androecial and gynoecial characters require modification of the long-standing circumscription of the genus. The new species also has the southernmost geographic range of any species in the genus.

Keywords: Anosyenne Mountains; Dombeyaceae; Madagascar; Malvaceae; Nesogordonia; conservation; endemism; taxonomy.