A revision of the Australian species of Gossypium with observations on the occurrence of Thespesia in Australia (Malvaceae)

Abstract

Existing knowledge of the Australian representatives of the genus Gossypium L. reviewed. New evidence is presented that genus Notoxylinon Lewton should be merged with Gossypium. A key is provided and the following revised classification is proposed.

Subgenus Sturtia (R. Br.) Tod.

Section Sturtia (R. Br.) Tod.

G. sturtianum J. H. Willis var. sturtianum

G. sturtianum J. H. Willis var. nandewarense (Der.) Fryx.

G. robinsonii F. Muell.

Section Hibiscoidea Tod.

Subsection Grandicalyx Fryx.

G. costulatum Tod.

G. populifolium (Benth.) F. Muell. ex Tod.

G. cunninghamii Tod.

Subsection Hibiscoidea

G. australe F. Muell.

G. bickii Prokhh

G. pulchellum (C. A. Gardn.) Fryx.

G. timorense Prokh.

Spec. exclus. : G. thespesioides (R. Br. ex Benth.) F. Muell. ex Tod. and G. flaviflorum ( F . Muell.) F. Muell. ex Tod.

The two excluded species are transferred to Thespesia Sol. ex Corr. G. flaviflorum and G. thespesioides are merged and reduced to varietal rank as T. lampas (Cav.) Dalz. ex Dalz. & Gibs. var. fhespesioides (R. Br. ex Benth.) Fryx.

The occurrence of T. populnea (L.) Sol. ex Corr. in Australia is also noted.