Taxonomic novelties and changes in Philippine Timonius (Rubiaceae, Guettardeae)

Abstract

The Philippine species of the genus Timonius present numerous taxonomic problems resulting from poorly defined species boundaries, misinterpretation of the origin of type specimens, and historical collections that often bear residual reproductive structures. Based on field observations and examination of herbarium materials, the following taxonomic amendments are proposed: conspecificity of T. philippinensis with T. finlaysonianus, and T. panayensis with T. valetonii, and transfer of T. quadrasii to Ridsdalea. This study also describes six new species from the archipelago: T. alejandroanus, T. dumagat, T. pseudoarboreus, T. ridsdalei, T. spes-vitarum and T. stevendarwinii. Finally, T. nitidus is excluded from the Philippine flora.