Wl. Wagner et Dh. Lorence, A NEW, DIOECIOUS SPECIES OF HEDYOTIS (RUBIACEAE) FROM KAUAI, HAWAIIAN-ISLANDS, AND THE TAXONOMY OF KAUAI HEDYOTIS-SCHLECHTENDAHLIANA RESOLVED, Novon, 8(3), 1998, pp. 311-317
A new, cliff-dwelling species, Hedyotis flynnii, is described from the
Hawaiian island of Kaua'i. It is distinguished by its conspicuously r
eticulate leaf venation, reduced leaves, and greenish yellow or someti
mes white corollas. Based on morphological observations, it appears to
be the first species in the genus known to have a dioecious breeding
system. Hedyotis flynnii also expresses a strong corolla size dimorphi
sm, with staminate flowers much larger than the pistillate. The taxono
my of the polymorphic species Hedyotis schlechtendahliana also is reco
nsidered recognizing the north-western Kaua'i populations as Hedyotis
schlechtendahliana subsp. waimeae, characterized by stiffly chartaceou
s to coriaceous reticulate leaves, open inflorescences, and subulate b
racts and calyx lobes.