Taxonomic revision of Sapindaceae in Tunisia, with new additions to national flora and the whole north Africa

Abstract

A taxonomic revision of the family Sapindaceae (order Sapindales) in Tunisia is presented. Field surveys were carried out during the last 10 years, allowing to identify 5 taxa of which 2 (Acer monspessulanum subsp. monspessulanum and A. monspessulanum subsp. martinii) are native, whereas the other 3 (A. negundo, Dodonaea viscosa, and Sapindus saponaria) are alien for the Tunisian flora. A. monspessulanum subsp. martinii, A. negundo, and Dodonaea viscosa are new records at national level, with Dodonaea representing a new genus for the Tunisian flora, whereas Sapindus saponaria is new for the whole North Africa. Information about nomenclature (accepted names, main synonyms, and types), morphology, chromosome number, chorology, occurrence in Tunisia, ecology (phenology and habitat), and taxonomic annotations are provided for each taxon, as well as original photos were prepared. Diagnostic keys at species and infraspecific ranks are also given.