A revision of Peliosanthes (Liliaceae)

In the introduction a history is given of the development of the knowledge of the taxonomy of the genus Peliosanthes in the wide sense, including the generic names Teta, Bulbospermum, Lourya and Neolourya, in which altogether 35 specific epithets have been validly published, ranging from the Dcccan Peninsula through S. E. Asia to West Malesia. The characters defining these genera are scrutinized and it is found that only one genus can be distinguished. The affinity of Peliosanthes, which is maintained in Liliaceae, is discussed and it is concluded that it should be arranged in the same tribe as Ophiopogon and Liriope. A thorough examination is made of specific delimitation on the basis of the gross morphology which has shown that no satisfactory correlations can be found in the variability; this is illustrated by several histograms. This has led to the conclusion that only one variable species, Peliosanthes teta Andr., can be distinguished, falling into two entities, the subspecies teta, confined to continental Asia with 2—6 flowers per bract and a subspecies humilis with only one flower per bract which is found throughout the range of the genus. A full description of the genus and species is given, with their synonymy, and information is given on habitat and distribution; localities are mapped. The few chromosome counts published agree in 2n = 36.