Sistemática del género bdallophytum (Cytinaceae)

Abstract

The genus Bdallophytum is comprised of root parasitic plants distributed in northern neotropics. In Mexico occur all the species of the genus, two of which are endemic. The genus has previously been positioned within the tribe Cytineae of the Rafflesiaceae, but based on results from molecular phylogenetic analyses, this tribe is currently recognized at the rank of family as Cytinaceae. Historically, one to four species have been accepted in the genus, and the most-recent taxonomic treatment for the genus was realized more than 70 years ago. In the present work, a principal coordinate analysis was conducted in order to evaluate the identity and number of species in this genus. The results of this analysis suggest the recognition of three species. A taxonomic study with a key to species is presented, along with bibliographic information, morphological descriptions, specimens examined, ecological information, distributional maps and photos of the species.