Journal article
Pacific Hibiscus Species (Malvaceae) in sect. Lilibiscus. 2. Hibiscus kaute sp. nov., a Missing Link from Eastern Polynesia
Pacific Science, Vol.76(2), pp.175-196
2022
Abstract
Recent linguistic, morphological, and DNA studies have shown that the Polynesian hibiscus known as kaute koute, ‘aute, and other cognates is an undescribed eastern Polynesian Hibiscus species in sect. Lilibiscus. It is described here as Hibiscus kaute L.A.J. Thomson & Butaud, and appears to be extremely rare, if not extinct in the wild. The French botanist Jean Nadeaud (1873) recorded ‘aute in a wild state during the 1850s at the end of Pirae valley (Nahoata) and elsewhere in the interior of Tahiti where it grew on cliff faces. The original wild form with a single whorl of petals is also rare in cultivation, both in French Polynesia and elsewhere in the South Pacific Islands. The medicinal Polynesian double flowered form is uncommon in cultivation and often mistaken for recently introduced cultivars. As well as being of great cultural importance to Polynesians, kaute is arguably the most significant species in the development of modern Hibiscus hybrids and a missing link in understanding the origins of H. rosa sinensis. Ex situ conservation measures are urgently needed in French Polynesia (Tahiti and Marquesas Islands) and, internationally, in botanic gardens, for this important progenitor species of Lilibiscus hybrids.
Details
- Title
- Pacific Hibiscus Species (Malvaceae) in sect. Lilibiscus. 2. Hibiscus kaute sp. nov., a Missing Link from Eastern Polynesia
- Authors
- Lex A.J. Thomson (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australian Centre for Pacific Islands ResearchJean-François Butaud (Author) - University of French PolynesiaLuca Braglia (Author) - Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council (CNR), Milano, 20133, ItalyDavid J. Mabberley (Author) - Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, and Australian Institute for Botanical Science (National Herbarium of New South Wales), Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Publication details
- Pacific Science, Vol.76(2), pp.175-196
- Publisher
- University of Hawai'i Press
- DOI
- 10.2984/76.2.6
- ISSN
- 1534-6188
- Organisation Unit
- Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99681397302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
4 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Marine & Freshwater Biology
- Zoology
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites