A new combination in the genus Talipariti ( Malvaceae )

É restabelecida uma espécie em nova combinação: Talipariti pernambucense (Arruda) Bovini, antes reconhecida como variedade. Estudos morfológicos e genéticos de vários autores, mostraram a necessidade de estabelecer o nível específico deste táxon. Palavras-chave: Brasil, Hibiscus, nomenclatura, Talipariti pernambucense, Talipariti tiliaceum. Massimo G. Bovini A new combination in the genus Talipariti (Malvaceae)


Introduction
Hibiscus is a pantropical genus of the Malvaceae family which contains about 200 species (Fryxell 1988).It is widely cultivated for its beautiful flowers and commonly used in landscaping.Fryxell (2001), analyzing the section Azanza, distinguishes the following morphological characteristics in relation to the other species of the genus: arborescent habit, large-ovate to eliptic leaves, large and oblong stipules, calyx lobate with nectaries on the veins, capsule bearing not only five true septa, but also five false septa; and the largest number of chromosomes in the genus (ca.100).Fryxell (2001) raises this section to genus level, based on McVaugh's (1945) concepts adapted by Gillis (1971), establishing a new name, Talipariti, which was chosen in accordance with Article 62.3 (McNeill et al. 2006).Saint Hilaire (1825) proposed the generic name Paritium for some species of this group.However, it has the same type specimen as Bupariti and Pariti, previously proposed by Duhamel du Monceau (1760) and Adanson (1763), respectively, and in accordance with Article 14.4 (McNeill et al. 2006) both names are rejected.Currently Talipariti is composed of 22 taxa that are found from southeast Asia to Central and South America, with one species occurring in Korea, Japan, and coastal Australia (Fryxell 2001).

Materials and Methods
Herbaria collections from CBM, CEPEC, GUA, RB and SP were analyzed.The specialized literature was consulted and field expeditions were carried out from 2004 to 2006 to observe and comment on live material.

Results and Discussion
Talipariti tiliaceum var.tiliaceum and T. tiliaceum var.pernambucense, established by Fryxell (2001), were previously described as species of the genus Hibiscus.However, this author suggests that further studies should reassess their taxonomic status, placing them at the species level.They are very similar, and have been the focus of much controversy, considered by various authors as distinct species, infraspecific taxa or synonyms.
Several studies have been carried out seeking evidence to help clarify this taxonomic impasse.The following are the most important ones: Silva (1966) examined the anatomy of stem, leaves and Bovini, M.G.
Rodriguésia 61(Sup.):S19-S21.2010 pollen grains; Rocha & Neves (2000) performed a comprehensive study of leaf anatomy; Silva et al. (2004) analyzed pollen; and finally Takayama et al. (2006) studied the phylogeography and genetics of both populations.All of these studies showed significant differences between the two taxa, suggesting they should be considered as distinct species.Sivarajan & Pradeep (1996), in flora of the Indian Peninsula, comment that Talipariti tiliaceum (= Hibiscus tiliaceus) is widely found in the region and that it is probably of Indian origin, also emphasizing the presence of a purple spot in the center of the corolla (the outstanding feature).On the other hand, Standley & Steyermark (1949), in flora of Guatemala, affirm that the petals of Talipariti tiliaceum (= Hibiscus tiliaceus) become red when senescent, a striking feature of Talipariti tiliaceum var.pernambucense (= Hibiscus pernambucensis), in addition to its occurrence in the New World.Takayama in 2007 (pers. comm.)states that specimens from Malaysia have a purple spot in the center of the corolla and that many reach a height of 20 meters or more.
The main distinguishing features of both species are shown in Table 1, based on the articles and comments above, examined material plus phytogeographic data.