Maesaceae, a new primuloid family in the order Ericales s.l.

Evidence from morphology and molecular sequence data from three chloroplast genes, rbcL. ndhF, and atpB, have shown that the genus Maesa constitutes a n evolutionary lineage separate from the other three primuloid families, Th eophrastaceae, Myrsinaceae, and Primulaceae. The new family Maesaceae is he re formally recognised, its taxonomic status being changed from a subfamily of Myrsinaceae. The new family comprises a single genus, Maesa Forssk., wi th some 100 species of trees or shrubs; it is diagnosed by characters such as flower pedicels with two bracteoles, a semi-inferior ovary, and indehisc ent fruits with many seeds. A key to the major groups of primuloid taxa is presented.