A taxonomic revision of Cryptostegia R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae: Periplocoideae)

Abstract

The genus Cvptostegia R. Br. comprises two species, both of which are endemic to Madagascar. One species, C. grandiflora Roxb. ex R. Br., is widely naturalised in tropical regions of the world. The other species, C. madagascariensis Bojer ex Decne., comprises three varieties, of which C. madagascariensis var. glaberrima (Hochreutiner) J. Marohasy & P. Forster is a new combination, and C. madagascariensis var. septentrionalis J. Marohasy & P. Forster is newly described. Interspecific hybrids occur in a narrow zone where the two species are sympatric.