A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF ROBSONODENDRON, A NEW GENUS IN THE CASSINOIDEAE

Robsonodendron R.H. Archer, a new woody genus endemic to southern Afri ca, is described. Its two species have hitherto been included in eithe r Cassine L. s. l. or Mystroxylon Eckl. & Zeyh. The affinities of the new genus are still obscure, although it shows some relationships with Mystroxylon and the Maytenus acuminata (L.f.) Loes. complex (subfamil y Celastroideae), from which it differs in several important morpholog ical, palynological and anatomical characters. A taxonomic revision of the genus is provided in which two new combinations, Robsonodendron e ucleiforme (Eckt. & Zeyh.) R.H. archer and R. maritimum (H. Bol.) R.H. Archer, are proposed.