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July 7, 2026Kew Bulletin1 citationsOpen Access

A revision of the red-flowered Cyrtandra terrae-guilelmi complex (Gesneriaceae) in New Guinea, with the description of five new species

SHSebastian A. HattRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew PLPenniel LameiPapua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research GBGemma L. C. BramleyRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Key Points

To provide a thorough taxonomic revision of the red-flowered Cyrtandra terrae-guilelmi species complex in New Guinea.
Revised taxonomy based on previous classifications by Schlechter.
Described five new species alongside previously recognized ones.
Focused on the endemic species found in New Guinea.
Identified five new species: Cyrtandra asekiensis, Cyrtandra buloloensis, Cyrtandra ferruginicalyx, Cyrtandra huonensis, and Cyrtandra milneensis.
Confirmed that New Guinea harbors significant biodiversity in the Cyrtandra genus.
Structured existing species into a more updated taxonomic framework.

Abstract

Summary Cyrtandra J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Gesneriaceae) are widespread in New Guinea, with most of the ~92 species recognised species endemic to the island. However, New Guinea Cyrtandra have not received a taxonomic revision since Schlechter in 1923, who recognised 14 sections. A taxonomic revision of the red-flowered Cyrtandra terrae-guilelmi K.Schum. species complex (within Schlechter’s Cyrtandra sect. Loxanthe ) is presented here, encompassing C. terrae-guilelmi (syn. C. schumanniana Schltr.), C. gorumensis Schltr., C. wilhelmensis P.Royen and five new species that are seemingly closely related: Cyrtandra asekiensis S.Hatt & Bramley, Cyrtandra buloloensis S.Hatt & Bramley, Cyrtandra ferruginicalyx S.Hatt & Bramley, Cyrtandra huonensis S.Hatt & Bramley and Cyrtandra milneensis S.Hatt & Bramley. This work forms part of a broader taxonomic revision of New Guinea Cyrtandra .

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