Revision of Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) in the Marquesas Islands

Research on the Marquesas Islands reveals that Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) comprises 11 species, with six included in molecular phylogenetic studies suggesting a single introduction origin. This makes Cyrtandra potentially the largest lineage of vascular plants in the region, surpassing Psychotria's 13 species, which are thought to consist of three separate lineages. The study describes three new species—C. uapouensis, C. uahukaensis, and C. kenwoodii—and provides amended descriptions for eight previously known species, along with a key to identify them. This revision enhances the understanding of Marquesan flora's diversity and evolutionary history.

Wagner, W., Wagner, A., & Lorence, D. (2013). Revision of Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) in the Marquesas Islands. PhytoKeys, 30, 33–64. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.30.6147