Genus of flowering plants
Dombeya is a flowering plant genus. Traditionally included in the family Sterculiaceae, it is included in the expanded Malvaceae in the APG and most subsequent systematics. These plants are known by a number of vernacular names which sometimes, misleadingly, allude to the superficial similarity of flowering "Dombeya" to pears or hydrangeas (which are unrelated). Therefore, the genus as a whole is often simply called dombeyas. The generic name commemorates Joseph Dombey (1742–1794), a French botanist and explorer in South America, involved in the notorious "Dombey affair", embroiling scientists and governments of France, Spain, and Britain for more than two years.
Distribution.
These plants grow chiefly throughout Africa and Madagascar. Madagascar has the majority of species, with approximately 175 native species. 19 are found on the African mainland, with one, "Dombeya torrida", also extending into the southwestern Arabian Peninsula. 24 species are native to the Mascarene Islands, of which 23 are endemic to the islands. "Dombeya acutangula" is native to east Africa, Madagascar, and the Mascarenes, with a disjunct population in Laos in Southeast Asia.
Taxonomy.
Formerly believed to hold only about 80 species, in the present delimitation, "Dombeya" is one of the most speciose Malvaceae genera, containing as many as 255 species. Most have been moved here from distinct genera, which are now considered junior synonyms. Some of these might warrant recognition as subgenera, to show the evolutionary and phylogenetic patterns of the numerous dombeyas more clearly. In addition to the synonyms listed here, "Astiria" is suspected to be a rather distinct derivative of "Dombeya" and would thus have to be included in the present genus. This requires renaming of species, as "A. rosea" conflicts with "D. rosea", a junior synonym of "D. burgessiae". Furthermore, several species have been moved here from related genera that are still valid, namely "Pentapetes".
"Dombeya" of L'Héritier de Brutelle is a synonym of "Tourrettia" (Bignoniaceae). "Dombeya" of Lamarck is a synonym of "Araucaria".
Selected species.
There are 197 accepted species of "Dombeya". Selected species include:
Footnotes.
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