A peer-reviewed open-access journal PhytoKeys 55: 1–92 (2015)A revision of Spondias L. (Anacardiaceae) in the Neotropics 1 doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.55.8489 RESEARCH ARTICLE http://phytokeys.pensoft.net Launched to accelerate biodiversity research A revision of Spondias L. (Anacardiaceae) in the Neotropics John D. Mitchell1, Douglas C. Daly1 1 Institute of Systematic Botany, The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10458-5126 Corresponding author: John D. Mitchell (
[email protected]) Academic editor: P. Acevedo-Rodríguez | Received 28 August 2014 | Accepted 22 April 2015 | Published 5 August 2015 Citation: Mitchell JD, Daly DC (2015) A revision of Spondias L. (Anacardiaceae) in the Neotropics. PhytoKeys 55: 1–92. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.55.8489 Abstract As part of an ongoing study of Anacardiaceae subfamily Spondioideae, the ten native and one introduced species of Spondias in the Neotropics are revised. The genus is circumscribed. Three new species, S. ad- mirabilis, S. expeditionaria, and S. globosa, are described and illustrated; a key to the taxa found in the Neotropics and distribution maps are provided. The Paleotropical species and allied genera are reviewed. Diagnostic character sets include leaf architecture, habit, flower morphology, and gross fruit morphology. Notes on the ecology and economic botany of the species are provided. Keywords Anacardiaceae, fruit trees, leaf architecture, Neotropics, new species, Spondias, taxonomy, tropical crops Introduction Spondias L. is a genus of fruit trees that comprises 18 species native to tropical America and Asia, and Madagascar. It is the type genus of the subfamily Spondioideae Takht. emend. Pell & J. D. Mitch., which is indicated by molecular systematic work currently under way as being the more basal (but possibly polyphyletic) group of a monophyl- etic Anacardiaceae sister to the Burseraceae (Pell 2004; Mitchell et al.