A Revision of Phyllanthus (Euphorbiaceae) in Eastern Melanesia

Abstract

In eastern Melanesia (New Hebrides to Fiji and Tonga), Phyllanthus is represented by eight native species in three subgenera (Isocladus, Anisonema, and Gomphidium); in addition, there are three introduced weedy species in the subgenus Phyllanthus. Two new species belonging to the section Gomphidium are described: Phyllanthus amicorum from Eua, Tonga, and P. smithianus from Viti Levu, Fiji. The native woody species of Phyllanthus from Fiji and Tonga are not closely related to those of New Caledonia but instead show affinities to species of Palau and New Guinea, while the single endemic species from the New Hebrides is closely related to New Caledonian species.