A revision of the extra-Andean Vivianiaceae

The extra-Andean species of Vivianiaceae are here reviewed. We examine the morphological circumscription of Viviania albiflora (= Caesarea albiflora ), evaluating all synonyms listed for this species. Although V . albiflora is a highly polymorphic species, especially regarding leaf morphology, a detailed morphological analysis leads us to conclude that V. linostigma , previously considered as one of its synonyms, needs to be accepted as a species. We noticed that the two species could be reliably differentiated by a trait such as tetramerous flowers for V. linostigma versus pentamerous flowers for V. albiflora . We present the other morphological characters and distribution differences that distinguish it from V . albiflora . All known synonyms of V . albiflora as well as V . linostigma along with the types lost at B herbarium are lectotypfied. An identification key, descriptions, illustrations and lists of synonyms are presented.