MUNTINGIACEAE, A NEW FAMILY OF DICOTYLEDONS WITH MALVALEAN AFFINITIES

The family Muntingiaceae, here described, includes the Neotropical, mo notypic genera Muntingia and Dicraspidia, and probably Neoressmannia, which have previously been included in Elaeocarpaceae, Tiliaceae, or F lacourtiaceae. Morphological data discussed here and molecular data pu blished elsewhere indicate that none of these families can be regarded as closely related to these genera. Muntingiaceae belong to a clade t hat comprises core Malvales (Sterculiaceae, Tiliaceae, Bombacaceae, an d Malvaceae) and several other families. Within this alliance, relatio nships are presently unresolved.