THE GENUS EXODECONUS AND SOME COMMENTS ON ITS RELATION WITH NICANDRA (SOLANACEAE)

The small genus Exodeconus RAFINESQUE (Solanaceae) from Ecuador and Peru is revised for the first time. Six species are recognised. Key, descriptions, lectotypifications, illustrations, and distribution maps are provided. The new combination Exodeconus integrifolius (PHILIPPI) AXELIUS is made. A hypothesis of the phylogenetic relationships within the genus, based on parsimony analyses of morphological data, is presented in form of a cladogram. A method to reveal hybrids by comparing their placement in cladograms based on morphological or on chloroplast DNA data, respectively, is presented. In light of this, a hypothesis of a hybrid origin of Exodeconus, or of the related genus Nicandra ADANSON, is discussed.