CLASSIFICATION OF THE VIREYA GROUP OF RHODODENDRON (ERICACEAE)

A new classification of the Vireya group of Rhododendron, based upon their evolutionary relationships as inferred from analysis of nuclear and plastid DNA sequence data, is presented. Rhododendron sect. Vireya is not monophyletic and its species are herein placed in three sections within subg. Rhododendron, namely sect. Discovireya, sect. Pseudovireya and sect. Vireya, with two subsections recognised within sect. Vireya: subsect. Euvireya and subsect. Malayovireya. Identification keys are provided.