Abstract
Summary. Indigofera spicata, sensu lato, is reassessed as comprising two species: I spicata Forssk. and I. hendecaphylla Jacq. I. spicata is confined to Africa, Yemen, Madagascar and the Mascarenes. The most widespread species, which also occurs outside this region, should be known as I. hendecaphylla Jacq. An isotype of I parvula Del. is located and identified as I. spicata. During our studies of Indigofera L. sect Alternifoliae Harvey ( = subsect. Alternifoliolae (Harvey) Gillett) in Madagascar and the Comoros, it has become evident that two separate species have previously been included under I. spicata Forssk., sensu lato (Gillett, 1958; Gillett 1971; Polhill 1990). A review of the material from elsewhere, and field observations in Africa, have shown that these 2 species are also separable outside Madagascar. I. hendecaphylla Jacq. (Fig. 1F-K) is the more widespread species, distributed throughout the Old World tropics and subtropics to the Pacific Islands. I spicata Forssk. (Fig. 1A-E), the name under which both species have formerly been confused, correctly refers to the more restricted species, confined to Africa, Yemen, Madagascar and the Mascarenes.
Published Version
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