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Issue: Vol. 203 No. 3: 25 March 2015
Type: Article
Published: 2015-03-25
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.203.3.5
Page range: 263–270
Abstract views: 15
PDF downloaded: 1

Taxonomic revision of the genus Massularia (Rubiaceae, Gardenieae), with a new species from Central Africa

Plant Systematic and Ecology Laboratory, Higher Teacher’s Training College, University of Yaoundé I
Missouri Botanical Garden, Africa & Madagascar Department, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, Missouri 63166-0299, USA. Institut de Systématique, Evolution, et Biodiversité ISYEB UMR 7205 CNRS/MNHN/EPHE/UPMC, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Sorbonne Universités, C.P.39, 57 rue Cuvier, F-75231 Paris cedex 05, France.
Plant Systematic and Ecology Laboratory, Higher Teacher’s Training College, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 047, Yaoundé, Cameroon. Missouri Botanical Garden, Africa & Madagascar Department, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, Missouri 63166-0299, USA. Herbarium et Bibliothèque de Botanique africaine, CP 169, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Av. F. Roosevelt 50, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium. Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Unité Mixte de Recherche AMAP, Boulevard de la Lironde, TA A-51/PS2, F-34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
Massularia Rubiaceae Gardenieae Central Africa

Abstract

Based on a careful examination of more than 700 herbarium specimens and field investigation, a comprehensive revision of the genus Massularia is given. Massularia stevartiana, a new species from Central African Republic, Cameroon and Gabon is described and illustrated. The novelty is distinguished from M. acuminata, the only other species previously recognized in the genus, by its smaller leaves and flowers. For the two species recognized we provide a morphological description, distribution, habitat, phenology and IUCN conservation status assessment. Distribution maps and a dichotomous key are also provided.

Based on a careful examination of more than 700 herbarium specimens and field investigation, a comprehensive revision of the genus Massularia is given. Massularia stevartiana, a new Rubiaceae species from Central African Republic, Cameroon and Gabon is described and illustrated. The novelty is distinguished from M. acuminata, the only other species recognized within the genus, by its smaller leaves and flowers. Another typical character for M. stevartiana is its leaves always cunate. For the two recognized taxa we provide a morphological description, distribution, habitat, phenology and IUCN conservation status assessment. Distribution maps and a taxonomic key are also provided.