Myriolepis, a new genus segregated from Limonium (Plumbaginaceae)

Taxonomic features of Limonium subg. Myriolepis are reviewed and compared with those of other taxa in Plumbaginaceae. The new genus Myriolepis is proposed on the basis of morphological, karyological and phytochemical characters to include two western Mediterranean species of Limonium sect. Myriolepis: L. ferulaceum and L. diffusum. Remaining taxa belonging to L. subg. Myriolepis (those in L. sects. Siphonantha and Polyarthrion) are recognised as sections in L. subg. Limonium. Affinities to other taxa of Limonium, sometimes suggested as related to Myriolepis, are also discussed.