Resolving the taxonomic enigma of <i>Nesocaryum stylosum</i> (Boraginaceae): phylogenetic evidence for its reclassification as <i>Cryptantha stylosa</i>.

ABSTRACT: The classification of Nesocaryum stylosum (Boraginaceae) has remained unresolved for nearly a century. This species is endemic to Isla San Ambrosio, a small island located approximately 900 km due west of the coast of central Chile. Ivan M. Johnston transferred the species from the genus Heliotropium to the monotypic Nesocaryum in 1927 but noted that, despite its quite different and rather unique vegetative, inflorescence, and calyx morphology, its unit fruits (nutlets/eremocarps) resemble those of Cryptantha. Here, we review the morphology and taxonomic history of N. stylosum and provide DNA sequence data that support its placement in Cryptantha, for which we propose the new combination Cryptantha stylosa. Our data also support the placemen

SUBMITTER: Simpson MG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12820567 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature