Subgeneric delimitation of the plant genus Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae)

Abstract

<p>Over two centuries of taxonomic studies on the species rich genus <i>Phyllanthus</i> have culminated in a broad and complicated classification with many subgenera and (sub)sections. Past taxonomic work has only focused on local revisions, mostly because of the size of the genus. In this study we aim to summarize most of the taxonomic work in a list containing the infrageneric delimitations of <i>Phyllanthus</i>. This work will serve as a reference, placing most currently recognized species in subgenera and if possible, in sections for further study. Here we recognize 880 species of <i>Phyllanthus</i>, classified in 18 subgenera, 70 sections and 14 subsections. A few taxonomic changes are necessary to reconcile published phylogenetic data with the current classification. Subsections <i>Callidisci</i> and <i>Odontadenii</i> are raised to sectional rank, while section <i>Eleutherogynium</i> and section <i>Physoglochidion</i> are reduced to subsections and <i>P. oxycarpus</i> is transferred to the genus <i>Glochidion</i>. A provisional key for the subgeneric classification of <i>Phyllanthus</i> is provided.</p>