Gossypium anapoides (Malvaceae), a New Species from Western Australia

Abstract

<p><em>Gossypium anapoides</em> J. M. Stewart, Craven, Brubaker & Wendel (Malvaceae), a new species of<em>Gossypium</em> L. endemic to the north Kimberley region of Western Australia, is described. The species is erect, with multiple, unbranched stems arising from the crown of a woody lignotuber. This trait, along with the presence of an elaiosome on each seed and the results of molecular analyses, places it with the species of <em>Gossypium</em> sect. <em>Grandicalyx</em> (Fryxell) Fryxell and makes it phylogenetically sister to the geographically disjunct species <em>G. cunninghamii</em> Tod. The species is named for the unique raised venation on the adaxial leaf surface that imparts the appearance of an abaxial surface.</p>