A NEW, DIOECIOUS SPECIES OF HEDYOTIS (RUBIACEAE) FROM KAUAI, HAWAIIAN-ISLANDS, AND THE TAXONOMY OF KAUAI HEDYOTIS-SCHLECHTENDAHLIANA RESOLVED

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.