Definition of South Pacific taxa of Nicotiana section Suaveolentes (Solanaceae)

Abstract

The taxonomy of South Pacific species of Nicotiana requires clarification. Examination of type and other herbarium specimens supports recognition of three species: N. forsteri Roem. & Schult., N. fragrans Hook., and N. fatuhivensis F.Br. Nicotiana forsteri is synonomised with N. debneyi Domin. In agreement with previous authors, N. forsteri is considered to be validly published and the name takes precedence over N. debneyi. Plants from the Marquises Islands are distinct from N. fragrans Hook., and thus are recognised at species level as N. fatuhivensis F.Br. rather than N. fragrans var. fatuhivensis (F.Br.) Goodsp. Nicotiana fatuhivensis is treated as a member of section Suaveolentes Goodsp., not section Paniculatae Goodsp., but more data are required to resolve its relationships. Key features for discriminating taxa are the presence of a caudex, ellipsoid-headed glandular hairs and flower size.