Systematic study of the South American genus Diplolepis (Apocynaceae)

Abstract

A taxonomic treatment of the genus Diplolepis is here presented. Based on molecular and biogeographical information recently published, this group is monophyletic and its geographical distribution isrestricted to southwestern South America. The study comprised the analysis of herbarium specimens including nomenclatural types, supplemented with collections and observation of species in the field. This paper describes the variation in the morphology of the genus, including habit, stems, leaves, inflorescence, calyx, corolla, corona, gynostegium, pollinia, fruits and seeds. The morphological and distributional differences between Diplolepis and related genera are discussed. A key to differentiate the species of the genus is here given. Within each species we provide the valid name, synonyms, description of vegetative and reproductive morphological characters, geographical distribution, ecology, uses, common names, phenology, iconography and specimens examined. A lectotype is designated for D. viridis