Abstract
Phlegmariurusvanuatuensis A.R.Field is described as a new species for plants endemic to the islands of Vanuatu that were previously identified with P.nummulariifolius (Blume) Ching. The Vanuatuan species differs from the widespread Asian-Oceanian species in several characteristics, most notably its acutely divergent leaf arrangement and thicker less branched fertile spikes. Phlegmariurusnummulariifolius is here re-circumscribed as plants occurring in Asia and into Oceania as far east as the Solomon Islands, being replaced eastwards by P.vanuatuensis. In addition, new nomenclatural combinations are made for Phlegmariurusaustralis, a species from Polynesia and for Phlegmariuruscopelandianus, a species from Malesia.
Highlights
Phlegmariurus Holub is a genus including epiphytic, epilithic and terrestrial plants that inhabit perhumid forests and montane regions throughout the tropics and subtropics globally
In Asia and Oceania, almost half the species diversity belong in as-yet unresolved clades related to P. phlegmaria (L.) Holub, P. phlegmarioides (Gaudich.) A.R.Field & Bostock and P. carinatus (Desv.) Ching or P. squarrosus (G.Forst.) Á.Löve & D.Löve and P. myrtifolius (G.Forst.) A.R.Field & Bostock (Field et al 2016; Bauret et al 2018; Testo et al 2018a, b)
This paper examines the systematic placement of plants hitherto regarded as Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius (Blume) Ching occurring in Vanuatu and this species is described as new
Summary
Phlegmariurus Holub is a genus including epiphytic, epilithic and terrestrial plants that inhabit perhumid forests and montane regions throughout the tropics and subtropics globally. This paper examines the systematic placement of plants hitherto regarded as Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius (Blume) Ching occurring in Vanuatu and this species is described as new. Herbarium materials of Phlegmariurus from across Asia and Oceania were examined in AAU, B, BONN-Nessel, BR, BRI, CANB, CNS, KLU, P, PR, PRC, QRS, UC and US.
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