Published August 3, 2017 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Melicope stonei, section Pelea (Rutaceae), a new species from Kaua'i, Hawaiian Islands: with notes on its distribution, ecology, conservation status, and phylogenetic placement

  • 1. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kalāheo, United States of America
  • 2. University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany|Smithsonian Institution, Washington, United States of America
  • 3. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, United States of America

Description

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.

Files

PK_article_13442.pdf

Files (3.2 MB)

Name Size Download all
md5:3a7d06840408929be372db20ef897a3a
3.0 MB Preview Download
md5:12c1b66197a46827fcb313e4be6e4381
118.9 kB Preview Download

Linked records