A Revision of the Genus Aglaonema (Araceae)

Book excerpt: This revision of Aglaonema (ranging from northeastern India through New Guinea) is based on study of over 1500 herbarium specimens in 33 herbaria, supplemented by field studies and over 100 personal collections made in southeastern Asia over a period of 18 months. Much of the literature of the genus is reviewed, particularly on cytology, embryology, and morphology. The taxonomic portion of the text includes keys, synonymies, descriptions, notes on range, habitat, typification as well as discussion of taxonomic and nomenclatural problems. The sections Aglaonema and Chamaecaulon are recognized for the first time. Although 76 binomials have been published for the genus, only 21 are recognized and accepted herein as species. No new species have been recognized.