A new, rare species of Melicytus (Violaceae) from New Zealand

Abstract

A new species of Melicytus, M. drucei, is described and illustrated. It has some features in common with diploid M. flexuosus and an un-described taxon which forms part of the tetraploid M. alpinus complex, and is believed to be a stable triploid hybrid between these two.

M. drucei is known only from the Ahukawakawa Swamp and Pouakai Range, Egmont National Park, where it is restricted to the Pouakai volcano (250k yrs), and is associated with a small, distinct group of other shrubs. It is regarded as a unique, rare, and threatened species.

Keywords:

• Violaceae
• Melicytus
• M. alpinus
• M. flexuosus
• M. drucei
• new species
• triploid
• taxonomy
• New Zealand flora