A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF LAURIDIA ECKL. AND ZEYH. (CASSINOIDEAE, CELASTRACEAE)

Evidence from macromorphology, anatomy and palynology, suggests the su bdivision of the large and heterogeneous Cassine L. s.l., into smaller , more homogeneous genera. Lauridia Eckl. & Zeyh., as delimited here, includes two species of small trees or lianas endemic to southern Afri ca. Hitherto the genus has either been considered as monotypic, based on Lauridia reticulata Eckl. & Zeyh., or it has been included in a wid ely circumscribed Cassine. Cassine tetragona (L.f.) Druce is transferr ed to Lauridia and the new combination L. tetragona (L.f.) R.H. Archer is proposed.