Bot. Mag.

Tokyo 95: 139-I46, 1982

Five N e w Species in Pelea (Rutaceae)

H a w a i i a n Plant Studies 108

HAgOLD St. JORN

Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Box 190OOA, Hawaii 96819, U.S.A.

Bused on morphology, the author describes five new species of Pelea (Rutaceae)
in the tt~waiian flora.

Key words: Hawaii - - Pelea - - t~utaeeae.

The genus Pelea (Rutaceae) is a major element in the forests of the Hawaiian
Mountains. There have been k n o w n 81 species and 42 infraspeeific taxa. The
present paper adds five more species, bringing the total n u m b e r to 86. These novelties
are added to the ones included in the basic monograph of Stone (1969).

Pelea k i l a u e a e n s i s St. John, sp. nov. (sect. Apocarpa) (Fig. 1)

Fig. 1. Pelea lc,ilauecxensi8 St. John, from holo~ype, a, habit; b, cocci, from above; c, cocci,
latcrM view.
 140 H. ST. Jolt~

Diagnosis holotypi. Novellis dense puberulis, foliis oppositis, petiolis 12-30 mm

longis puberulis, laminis 6.6-11 • 2.7-4.7 cm coriaceis ellipticis glabris excepta midnervo
infra puberulo, cymis ex axilibus foliosis 15-20 mm longis 3 - v e l 5-floriferis puberulis
sed in fructu ex axilibus nudis, pednnculo 9-13 mm longo, pedicellis 1-5 mm longis,
capsulis 15 mm diametro, coccis 4 (vel 2-3) rotatis suborbicularibus paulo compressis
dense puberulis l-seminiferis.
Diagnosis of hdotype. Immvations densely puberulent; leafy brachlets 2-4 mm in
diameter, puberulent; older branches 4-6 mm in diameter, brown, smooth, but on drying
with low narrow longitudinal ridges; leaves opposite; petioles 12-30ram long,
puberulent; blades 6.6-11 • 4.7 cm, coriaceous, elliptic, above dark green, glabrous
except for the puberulent midrib, secondary veins 8-10 in each half, ascending, then the
tips upcurved; cymes from the leafy axils, 15-20 mm long, 3- or 5-flowered, puberulent;
in fruit from the older, leafless nodes; peduncle 9-13 mm long; pedicels 1-5 mm long;
bracts 3 m m long, lanceolate; capsule 15mm in diameter, of 4 (or 2-3) rotate fol-
licles, suborbicular, somewhat compressed, l-seeded, densely puberulent; endocarp
glabrous, yellowish.
Holotypus. Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii Island, Kilauea, Kipuka Puaulu, closed
mixed forest, Aug. 16, 1978, Gar Clarke & Hoshide 169 (BISH).
Specimens examined. Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii Island, Kipuka Puaulu, closed
mixed forest, Aug. 16, 1978, Howard Hoshide & Gar Clarke 152 (~NP).
Discussion. P. Icilaueaensis is a member of the section Apocarpa, as is its closest
relative, P. sandwicensis (H. & A.) Gray, of Oahu, and perhaps of Molokai, a species
with the capsules 20 mm in diameter, the follicles mostly 2-seeded; cymes 3-flowered;
peduncles 6 mm long; pedicels 5-7 mm long; petioles 7-15 mm long; blades 3-8.5•
2-4.5 cm, oblong elliptic, rounded or emargiuate at apex, and puberulent on the lower
surface. P. kilaueaensis has the capsules 15 mm in diameter, the cocci 1-seeded;
cymes 3- or 5-flowered; peduncles 9-13 mm long; pedicels 1-5 mm long; petioles 12-30
mm long; blades 6.6-11• elliptic, the lower surface glabrous, but the
midrib below puberulent.
Kipuka Puaulu is in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, at Kilauea, Hawaii.

Pelea ahiaensis St. John, sp. nov. (sect. Megacarpa) (Fig. 2)

Diagnosis holotypi. Arbor 6.7 m alta est, novellis dense fulve hirsutis, caulibus
petiolisque glabratis, foliis oppositis eis expansis glabratis excepta in midnervo,
petiolis (2-) 3.5-4.5 cm longis in apice artieulatis, laminis (6-) 10-20• 7-13.5 cm
coriaceis latiore ellipticis (vel suborbicularibus), eymis 3.5-4.5 cm longis 15-22-floriferis,
pedunculo 7-14 mm longo, pedicellis 3-7 mm longis, capsulis glabris 25-27 mm
diametro 2/3 lobatis rotatis axili 5 mm alto, coecis 9 10 mm altis ellipsoideis bispermatis.
Diagnosis of holotype. Tree 6.7 m tall; innovations densely tawny hirsute, the
hairs 1 mm long; stems and petioles glabrate; expanded blades early glabrate above,
glabrate below except on the midrib; leaves opposite; petioles (2-) 3.5-4.5 cm long,
 Five New Si0eeies in Pelea (Rutaeeae) 141

b
o 5cm
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o ~Cm
+ i I

d
o I Clll
L . . . . I I

Fig. 2. Pelea ahiaensi8 St. John, from holotype, a, habit, • 1/2; b, capsule from ~bove, e,
capsule, lateral view; d, e, seed, ><,2.

stout, channeled above, joined at apex; blades 10 20 (6-) cm long, 7-13.5 (5-) cm wide,
coriaceous, very broadly elliptic (or suborbicular), obtuse, the base rounded (or
broadly cuneate), shiny, above green, below pale green; inflorescence cymose, 3.5-4.5
142 H. ST. Jo~N

cm long, 15-23-flowered; peduncle

7-14 mm long; pedicels 3-7 mm
long; (fowers not seen); capsules
glabrous, 25-27 mm in diameter,
lobed 2/3 way, rotate, the axis 5
mm tall, the wails 0.3ram thick;
cocci 9-10 mm high, ellipsoid, 2-
seeded; endocarp glabrous.

Holotypus. Hawaiian Islands,

Hawaii Island, Kohala Mountains,
Puu Ahia, Kawaihae, moist forest,
4,800 ft alt., Jan. 2, I932, H.
St. John & E.Y. Hosaka 11,490
(BISH).

Pelea punaensis St. John, sp.

nov. (sect. Megacarpa) (Fig. 3)
Diagnosis holotypi. Arbor
"parva gracilis" est, novellis as-
cendente albe puberulis sed herbis
mox glabratis, foliis oppositis,
petiolis 8-12 mm longis, laminis 5.5-
6.3• subtiliter coriaceis
ellipticis basi breve cuneata, inflo-
S rescentiis 2.5-3 cm longis 1- vel 3-
floriferis gIabris, pedunculo 8-9 mm
longo, pedicellis 6-7ram longis,
floribus maseulis 8-10 mm longis,
4 sepalis 4 mm longis late ovatis
aeutis, 4 petMis 8.5 mm tongis lan-
ceo-ovatis, 4 staminibus alternatis
6.5ram longis illis 4 opposits 6
mm longis, antheris 0.8 mm longis
anguste ellipsoideis, eapsulis 18 mm
diametro glabris 1/2 lobatis axili
4 mm alto lateribus 1 mm crassis,
coeds 6 mm altis ellipsoideis, endo-
carpio glabro.
o 9.. c-rll
i i 9

Fig. 3. Peleapunaensis St. John, from holotype. Diagnosis of holotype. "Small

a, habit; b, c, flower; d, capsule, from above; slender" tree; innovations appress-
e, capsule, lateral view. ed ascending white puberulous,
 Five New Species in Pelea (Rutaeeae) 143

b u t the herbage early glabrate; leaves opposite; petioles 8-12ram long; blades
5.5-6.3• era, thin coriaceous, elliptic, entire, shiny, the apex narrowed but
obtuse, the base shortly cuneate, above and below olive green and reticulate veiny;
inflorescenees 2.5-3 cm long, axillary, 1- or 3-flowered, glabrous; peduncle 8 - 9 m m
long; pedicels 6-7 mm long; staminate flowers 8 10 mm long; 4 sepals 4 mm long,
the 2 outer ones overlapping the 2 inner ones, broadly ovate, acute; 4 petals 8.5 mm
long, 4 mm wide, lance ovate, acute, firm; 8 stamens, the 4 alternate ones 6.5 mm long,
the 4 opposite ones 6 mm long, the filaments narrowly ligulate; anthers 0.8 mm long,
narrowly ellipsoid; ovary 3.5mm in diameter, discoid, 4-lobed, puberulous at the
center; style 2.2ram long; stigma cuneate, slightly 4-lobed; capsule glabrous,
18 mm in diameter, lobed 1/2 way, the axis 4 mm high, the walls 1 mm thick; cocci
6 mm high, ellipsoid, 1-seeded; endoearp glabrous; (seeds unknown).
Holotypus. Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii Island, Puna Forest Reserve, 4 miles s.c. of
Belt Road, wet, shrubby jungle, Feb. 20, 1968, O. & I. Dcgener 31, 479 (BIS~).

Discussion. P. punaensis is a member of the section Megacarpa, ~as is its closest

relative, P. scmitcrnata St. John, of Oahu, a species with the capsules lobed 2/3-3/4 way,
the lobes reflexed; petals 7 • 3 ram; leaves ternate (or on weak branchlets opposite) ;
and the blade base rounded to subcordate. P. punaensis has the capsules lobed 1/2
way, the lobes rotate; petals 8.5• mm; leaves opposite; and the blade base shortly
cuneate.

Pelea s c a n d e n s St. John, sp. nov. (sect. Megacarpa) (Fig. 4)

Diagnosis holotypi. Liana usque ad 6.6 m ascendens est, novel[is pilosulis sed
mox glabratis, foliis oppositis, petio[is 6-12 mm longis, laminis 3.5-9.5• cm
]ate ellipticis coriaceis, cymis 1-floriferis axilaribus, pedunculo 2-5 ram longo, pedieellis
3-5 mm long, floribus femineis cure sepalis 1.5-2 mm longis deltoideis, petalis (imm-
aturis) 2.5-3 mm longis, capsulis 22-24 mm latis 5 mm altis glabris rotatis laevibus 4
lobis 1/6 connatis, endocarpio glabro, seminibus 8• 6 • mm el[ipsoideis nigris lucidis.

Diagnosis of holotype. Vine, climbing 6.6 m up trees; mature parts all glabrous;
young shoots appressed ascending white pilosulous, but soon glabrate; leafy branchlets
2-2.5 mm in diameter, smooth, brown; older branches 3-5 mm in diameter, smooth, but
on drying with longitudinal ridges; internodes 6-30 mm long; nodes enlarged; leaf scars
1.5-3 mm wide, broadly elliptic, pale, elevated; bundle sear single, large, orbicular;
leaves opposite; petioles 6-12 mm long; blades 3.5-9.5• cm, broadly elliptic,
plane, coriaceous, above dark green and shiny, below pale green to whitish, the
reticulate veinlets promient on both sides; cymes axillary, 1-flowered; peduncle 2-5
mm long, bibracteolate; pedicel 3-5 mm long; sepals of pistillate flowers 1.5-2 mm long,
deltoid; petals (immature) 2.5-3mm long; ovary 0.8mm high, hemispheric; style
2 mm long; 4 stigmatic lobes 0.3 mm long; capsules 22-24 mm broad, 5 mm high,
glabrous, rotate, smooth, brown, the 4 lobes connate at base for 1/6 their length, the
apices rounded; endocarp stramineous, translucent, glabrous; seeds single in the ear-
144 H. ST. Jo]t~

o
i, I i i
4 c,m

~.p-"

ok ~m

o ~ Cnl

d
o I Cl~rl
0i . . . . .
1 C1Tt
j 9 . . . . . i

Fig. 4. Fig. 5.
Fig. 4. Pelea seandens St. John, from holotype. a, habit; b, capsule, from above; c, capsule,
lateral view; d, e, seed.
Fig. 5. Pelea wainihaensis St. John, from holotype. a, habit; b, capsule, from above; e,
capsule, lateral view; d, seed.
 Five New Species in Pelea (Rutaceae) 145

pels, 8 • X 6 ram, ellipsoid, the surface black, polished, shining.

Holotypus. Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii Island, n.w. end of Honaunau Forest
Reserve, rain forest, 3,100 ft alt., Dec. 26, 1937, H. St. John, P. Baldwin, & P. Longley
18,530 (~SH).
Discussion. P. scandens is a member of the section Megacarpa, as is its closest
relative, P. radiata St. John, of southern Hawaii, a species with the stem axils hirsutulous;
branehlets sparingly puberulent; petioles 4-27 mm long, glabrate, but with a few hairs
at the extremities; blades ovate (or elliptic); peduncle 10-12 mm long; pedicels 8-10 mm
long; style about 4 ram long; capsule lobes connate 1/3 their length; seed subglobose.
P. scandens of western Hawaii, has the mature plant and stems glabrous; petioles 6-12
mm long; blades broadly elliptic; peduncle 2-5 mm long; style 2 mm long; capsule
lobes connate 1/6 their length; seeds ellipsoid.
The new epithet is the Latin participle scandens, climbing, and it is given with
reference to the growth habit of the plant.

Pelea wainihaensis St. John, sp. nov. (sect. Megacarpa) (Fig. 5)

Diagnosis aolotv~oi. Arbor ramosa 3.3m alta est, novellis minute adpresse
puberulis, foliis oppositis glabris, petiolis 7-17 mm longis, laminis 2.7-6 • 1.8-4 em crasse
eoriaeeis late elliptieis, cymis axilaribus 13-23 mm longis 5-floriferis, capsulis glabris
16-18 mm diametro 3/4 lobatis rotatis axi 4: mm alta, eoccis 5-6 mm altis ellipsoideis 1-
seminiferis, endoearpio glabro, seminibus 5-6 • 2 1 5 mm ellipsoideis nigris nitidis.
Diagnosis of holotype. Branching tree 3.3 m tall; innovations covered with a white
waxy scurf, under which on the branchlet is a microscopic appressed puberulence, the
scurf caduceus; leaves opposite, glabrous; petioles 7-17 mm long, channeled above,
jointed at the apex; blades 2.7-6• era, thick coriaceous, broadly elliptic, obtuse
at each end, the margins revolute, pale olive green on both sides, the midrib prominent
below, and green or reddish; cymes axillary 13-23 mm long, 5-flowered, (the buds very
immature); capsules glabrous, 16-18 mm in diameter, lobed 3/4 way, rotate, the axis
4 mm high; cocci 5-6 mal high, ellipsoid, 1-seeded; endoearp glabrous; seeds 5-6 • 4:-
3.5 mm, ellipsoid, black, shining.
Holotypus. Hawaiian Islands, Kauai Island, Wainiha-Manoa drainage, edge of
pali, wet forest, 2,100 ft elev., March 4, 1978, Charles Christensen 319 (Bisu):
Discussion. Pelea wainihaensis is a member of the section Megacarpa, as is its
closest relative, P. molol~aiensis Hbd., a species with the innovations minutely tawny
appressed puberulent; branches glabrate; petioles at first minutely pubescent; blades
3-12.5 • 2-8 era, ovate to elliptic to suborbicular, at both ends rounded or emarginate,
glabrate or glabrous; cymes sparsely puberulent; capsules 21-35 mm wide, 8-9 mm
thick; and the seeds 8 • 6 ram. P. wainihaensis has the innovations covered with a
white waxy scurf; branchlets microscopically appressed puberulent; petioles glabrous;
blades 2.7-6• 1.8-4 cm, broadly elliptic, glabrous; cymes glabrous; capsules 16-18 mm
wide, 5-6 mm thick; and the seeds 5 - 6 •
146 H. ST. JOHN

References
STo~, B.C. 1969. The Genus Pelea A. Gray. A Taxonomic Monograph. Phanerogamarum
Monographiae 3: i-viii, 1-180, figs. 1-70, maps 1-27, pl. I-IX.
Received July 22, 1981