A peer-reviewed open-access journal PhytoKeys 154: 19–55 (2020) Synopsis of Rhaphiolepis (Rosaceae) 19 doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.154.52790 RESEARCH ARTICLE http://phytokeys.pensoft.net Launched to accelerate biodiversity research A synopsis of the expanded Rhaphiolepis (Maleae, Rosaceae) Bin-Bin Liu1,2*, Yu-Bing Wang2,3*, De-Yuan Hong1, Jun Wen2 1 State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Scien- ces, Beijing 100093, China 2 Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, PO Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA 3 Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Regional Plant Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement (CTGU)/Biotechnology Research Center, China Three Gorges Uni- versity, Yichang, 443002, China Corresponding author: Jun Wen (
[email protected]) Academic editor: A. Sennikov | Received 1 April 2020 | Accepted 6 June 2020 | Published 4 August 2020 Citation: Liu B-B, Wang Y-B, Hong D-Y, Wen J (2020) A synopsis of the expanded Rhaphiolepis (Maleae, Rosaceae). PhytoKeys 154: 19–55. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.154.52790 Abstract As part of the integrative systematic studies on the tribe Maleae, a synopsis of the expanded Rhaphiolepis is presented, recognizing 45 species. Three new forms were validated: R. bengalensis f. contracta B.B.Liu & J.Wen, R. bengalensis f. intermedia B.B.Liu & J.Wen, and R. bengalensis f. multinervata B.B.Liu & J.Wen, and four new combinations are made here: R. bengalensis f. angustifolia (Cardot) B.B.Liu & J.Wen, R. bengalensis f. gigantea (J.E.Vidal) B.B.Liu & J.Wen, R. laoshanica (W.B.Liao, Q.Fan & S.F.Chen) B.B.Liu & J.Wen, and R.