An updated identification guide to the species of Amorphophallus (Araceae): new synonyms and a set of global dichotomous keys

Abstract

This work presents updated dichotomous keys to the Amorphophallus ( Araceae ) species of the world based on morphological characters of the inflorescence. It is a compilation of data derived from herbarium specimens, living specimens, protologues, and following papers outlining taxonomic updates to the genus. Three new synonyms are proposed and a general key including 239 species of Amorphophallus distributed across the African, Asian, and Australian continents is included. Ten additional subkeys are provided by geographical subregion, making identification streamlined if the locality of the specimen is known. The aim of this paper is to make identification of Amorphophallus species accessible through a single manuscript, serving not only the research sector, but also citizen science. This guide provides a rapid and accurate means of species identification, directly benefiting data collection and assisting in species conservation.