A REAPPRAISAL OF THE GENERIC STATUS OF LIPARIA AND PRIESTLEYA (FABACEAE)

The generic delimitation of Liparia L. and Priestleya DC, (Fabaceae, t ribe Liparieae) is reevaluated. Traditionally the shape and size of th e carinal lobe of the calyx, the shape of the keel petals and the numb er of flowers per inflorescence were used as diagnostic characters. A study of morphological and alkaloid variation indicates that the two g enera run much into one another. Differences in inflorescence and flor al structure can be attributed to adaptations to different pollination strategies. The unique combination of major alkaloids occurring in bo th genera also suggests that they are congeneric. Priestleya is theref ore placed into synonymy under Liparia. The nomenclature, synonymy and typification of the genus and the 14 species recognized are presented , and some necessary new combinations are made.