Friesodielsia Research Articles

A synopsis of Friesodielsia (Annonaceae) in New Guinea

The lianescent genus Friesodielsia has been poorly documented and studied in the New Guinea region, with only a single species, F. subaequalis, known thus far. Three species are newly described for the island and all four are illustrated here. Friesodielsia papuana resembles other glaucous-leaved species from western Malesia, namely F. glauca, but can be distinguished through a combination of laminar and floraltraits. Friesodielsia ferralta is described from a single montane specimenat 1400m, representing the highest known collection for the genus; it differs from the lowland F. papuana in its rusty indument, longer flowering pedicels, and smaller sepals. Frieso dielsia yelaensis is described from a single specimen from Rossel Island, representing both the southernmost and eastern mostextent for the genus. It has adistinct morphology with its strongly acuminate to caudate leaf apex, subsessile flowers, large foliaceous medial bracts and sepals. A key to the species in New Guineais provided.