A revision of Ventilago (Rhamnaceae) in New Caledonia and Vanuatu with notes on dyeing properties

Abstract

The climbing genus Ventilago Gaertn. (Rhamnaceae) is revised in New Caledonia and Vanuatu. The description of V. pseudcalyculata Guillaumin was based on four gatherings (syntypes). The name is lectotypified with a specimen from Lifou, and the species is now considered to be restricted to the Loyalty Islands, while the specimens from Grande Terre (the main island of New Caledonia) are treated as a new species, V. tinctoria Cahen, Toussirot & Pillon. A total of four endemic species are therefore recognized in New Caledonia: V. buxoides Baill., V. neocaledonica Schltr. and V. tinctoria from Grande Terre and V. pseudocalyculata from the Loyalty Islands. The plants from Vanuatu, often identified as V. neocaledonica, are treated here as a new species, V. vanuatuana Cahen, Toussirot & Pillon, endemic to that archipelago.