Generic Delimitation in the Palms of Madagascar

Abstract

Until recently, collections of palms from Madagascar have been few in number, and in many cases fragmentary. This has resulted in a fairly confused taxonomy both at specific and at generic level. A period of palm-dedicated fieldwork has resulted in a better understanding of the family in Madagascar. Before 1987, 14 genera with some 115 species were known; since 1987, three new genera have since been described, while nine genera will be put into synonymy. Some seventy new species will be described, bringing the total number to 190 (of which 185 are endemic)