WILKIN P., ANDRIANANTENAINA W.P., JEANNODA V., HLADIK A. 2008. The species of Dioscorea L. (Dioscoreaceae) from Madagascar with campanulate tori, including a new species from Eastern Madagascar. Kew Bulletin 63: 583–600.

Summary:

A revision of the Malagasy endemic species complex of yams (Dioscorea L.) which possesses flowers with campanulate tori is presented with keys and full descriptions.

It comprises six species that were placed in Dioscorea sect. Seriflorae Burkill & H. Perrier and D. sect. Campanuliflorae Burkill & H. Perrier in the Flore de Madagascar et des Comores treatment.

D. decaryana H. Perrier does not belong in the species complex.

One species (D. kimiae Wilkin) is described and illustrated for the first time. It is found in light gaps in humid evergreen forest near Ambanizana on the Masoala peninsula and near Ranomafana in Fianarantsoa Prefecture.

Recent collections demonstrate that D. madecassa H. Perrier and D. karatana Wilkin are conspecific, as are D. seriflora Jum. & H. Perrier and D. tanalarum H. Perrier.

Three accepted species names (D. maciba Jum. & H. Perrier, D. seriflora Jum. & H. Perrier and D. tsaratananensis H. Perrier and two placed in synonymy (D. bararum H. Perrier and D. ovifotsy H. Perrier) are lectotypified.

The species complex comprises one common, widespread species from deciduous Western vegetation, one widespread in humid eastern forests, and four with restricted distributions in evergreen forests of the Central Highlands and East of Madagascar. Their diversity and systematics are discussed.

Key Words. campanulate torus, Dioscorea, Madagascar, nomenclature, taxonomy, typification.