TWO NEW SPECIES OF DIOSPYROS (EBENACEAE) FROM NEW GUINEA

Abstract

The genus Diospyros (Ebenaceae) is highly diverse throughout Malesia, and New Guinea is thought to host c.46  species. Here we present a taxonomic treatment of a group of vegetatively similar species from the region, characterised by the large, chartaceous leaves that develop a peculiarly dark colour when dried. As a result of examination of herbarium collections, we describe two species new to science, Diospyros multimaculata and D. tehno; we exclude the presence of D. rostrata from New Guinea; and we provide a key to these and the three other species with a similar habit, namely, D. janowskyi, D. fusicarpa and D. pulchra.