Anetholea (Myrtaceae), a new genus for Backhousia anisata: a cryptic member of the Acmena alliance

Abstract

The taxonomic position of Backhousia anisata is reassessed on morphological and anatomical grounds and its affinities found to lie with the Acmena alliance. Backhousia anisata is glabrous and has a suite of wood anatomical character-states that are more consistent with a phylogenetic position in or near the Acmena alliance than with other Backhousia species; molecular data also support this placement. Since this species lacks the fleshy fruit, thick cotyledons and hypogeal germination characteristic of other members of the Acmena alliance, a new genus Anetholea Peter G.Wilson is described to accommodate it, and the new combination Anetholea anisata (Vickery) Peter G.Wilson made.