Abstract
Melicope stonei K.R. Wood, Appelhans & W.L. Wagner (section Pelea, Rutaceae), a new endemic tree species from Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands, is described and illustrated with notes on its distribution, ecology, conservation status, and phylogenetic placement. The new species differs from its Hawaiian congeners by its unique combination of distinct carpels and ramiflorous inflorescences arising on stems below the leaves; plants monoecious; leaf blades (5–)8–30 × (4–)6–11 cm, with abaxial surface densely tomentose, especially along midribs; and very long petioles of up to 9 cm. Since its discovery in 1988, 94 individuals have been documented and are confined to a 1.5 km2 region of unique high canopy mesic forest. Melicope stonei represents a new Critically Endangered (CR) single island endemic species on Kaua‘i.
Highlights
The total number of recognized Melicope reported for the Hawaiian Islands totals 50 endemic species, making Melicope the most species-rich radiation of woody plants throughout the archipelago (Hillebrand 1888, Hartley and Stone 1989, Wagner et al 1999, Wood et al 2016a)
Molecular phylogenetic studies indicate that the Hawaiian species arose from a single introduction, and that the Hawaiian genus Platydesma H
The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy for Melicope stonei was calculated by using ArcMap 10.2 in relation to coordinates recorded while collecting herbarium specimens or making field observations
Summary
Section Pelea (Rutaceae), a new species from Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands... R. Wood 8432 (BISH, NY, PTBG, US); Pa‘aiki-Mahanaloa flats, 1015 m elev., 06 May 2000, K.
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