A taxonomic review of Hibiscus sect. Furcaria (Malvaceae) in Western Australia and the Northern Territory

Abstract

Recent collections have extended significantly the known morphological diversity in Hibiscus sect. Furcaria in north-western Australia. This additional knowledge required a review of the taxonomy, as a result of which several new taxa are described, namely H. aneuthe, H. aphelus, H. bacalusius, H. fallax, H. fryxellii var. mollis, H. inimicus, H. kenneallyi, H. marenitensis, H. petherickii, H. reflexus, H. riceae, H. squarrulosus, H. stewartii and H. thegaleus. Hibiscus mustiae is included in H. zonatus. An identification key, synoptic treatments and distribution maps are provided for all taxa occurring in the region. In addition, all new taxa are described and all, with the exception of H. thegaleus, are illustrated. An exsiccatae list is provided.