A REVISION OF ADRIANA (EUPHORBIACEAE)

Adriana (Euphorbiaceae) is an endemic Australian genus of dioecious sh rubs found widely throughout the mainland. Results of a taxonomic revi sion of Adriana are presented and a new taxonomy is proposed in which three taxa are recognised. Adriana quadripartita (Labill.) Muell. Arg, is a southern Australian, predominantly coastal taxon. Adriana toment osa Gaudich. is a widely distributed species that exhibits considerabl e variation in leaf morphology and indumentum, in contrast to basic fl oral structure which is similar throughout the species, and it compris es two varieties. Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa is a coastal and in land taxon with a distribution along both eastern and western seaboard s and in northern Australia. Adriana tomentosa var. hookeri (F.Muell.) C.L.Gross & M.A.Whalen is an inland taxon occurring in the dry interi or from Western Australia to New South Wales. A key to these taxa, des criptions and distribution maps are provided. Morphological variation patterns, the delimitation of taxa and the utility of different morpho logical characters as diagnostic features in Adriana are discussed.