On the disintegration of Molluginaceae: a new genus and family (Kewa, Kewaceae) segregated from Hypertelis, and placement of Macarthuria in Macarthuriaceae
Author
Christenhusz, Maarten J. M.
Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond TW 9 3 DS, UK.
Author
Brockington, Samuel F.
Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB 2 3 EA, UK.
Author
Christin, Pascal-Antoine
Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S 10 2 TN, UK.
Author
Sage, Rowan F.
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, Ontario M 5 S 3 B 2, Canada.
text
Phytotaxa
2014
2014-10-08
181
4
238
242
http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.181.4.4
journal article
10.11646/phytotaxa.181.4.4
1179-3163
5146298
Kewa
Christenh.
,
gen. nov.
Type
of the genus:—
Kewa salsoloides
(Burch.) Christenh.
(=
Pharnaceum salsoloides
Burch.
).
The genus differs from
Hypertelis
sensu stricto
in having succulent, alternate, terete leaves, stipules that are adnate to the sheathing leaf bases, simple umbellate inflorescences on long stalks, the short stigmatic crests topping the ovary, and the absence of a nectary disk.
Etymology:—
Kewa
is named for Kew, a village in Richmond, Surrey, southwest London, where the internationally acclaimed Royal Botanic Gardens are situated. This botanical institute has conducted botanical research worldwide for over 250 years and has earned a global fame in taxonomy, conservation, horticulture and science. We chose to name it in honour of RBG Kew because members of the genus occur in areas (
St. Helena
, southern Africa,
Madagascar
) where Kew carried out research, and samples provided by Kew have been instrumental in resolving the relationships discussed here.