A NEW SPECIES OF METROXYLON (ARECACEAE) FROM WESTERN-SAMOA

Metroxylon paulcoxii sp. nov., from the islands of 'Upolu and Savai'i in Western Samoa, is described, illustrated, and compared to M. warbur gii (F. Heim) Beccari, which is also present in Samoa. Metroxylon paul coxii is differentiated from M. warburgii by the presence of three aut apomorphic characters: shorter mid-rachis leaflets, pendulous or varia ble rachillae, and terminal (distal) rachillae more than twice as long as lateral (proximal) rachillae. In addition, the ambiguous name M. u poluense Beccari is discussed.