The Diospyros salicifolia complex (Ebenaceae) in Mesoamerica

The taxonomy of the Diospyros salicifolia complex was examined using traditional taxonomic methods and multivariate statistics. Seven species are currently known in Mesoamerica. Diospyros acapulcensis Kunth, which occurs from Panama to Jalisco and Veracruz, Mexico, is separable into nine subspecies. Diospyros aequoris Standl., a plant of western Mexico from Sinaloa to Oaxaca, is separable into six subspecies. Diospyros salicifolia Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. is endemic to the Acapulco region of Guerrero, Mexico, and may be of recent hybrid origin. Diospyros yucatanensis Lundell, occurring in the Yucatan Peninsula and nearby regions of Mexico and Central America, is separable into two subspecies. Diospyros intricata (A. Gray) Standl. is currently known only from the Cape region of Baja California Sur, Mexico. As circumscribed here, interspecific hybridization is thought to be rare in the complex, but intermediates between subspecies sometimes form at the edges of their ranges. Panamanian specimens of putative D. inconstans Jacq., belong to this complex, and the recently described D. amanap B. Walln., seems to as well. Descriptions are provided for D. salicifolia, D. acapulcensis, D. aequoris and D. yucatanensis, and within these species nine new subspecies are described, and five new combinations are made. A key to the taxa is provided, along with distribution maps, illustrations and photos of types and living material.