A revision of tribe Caryoteae (Arecaceae, Coryphoideae)

A DNA sequence-based phylogeny and a morphology-based revision of the tribe Caryoteae are presented. Results of the phylogenetic analysis showed that one of the three genera, Wallichia, should be included in Arenga. Species of Wallichia are hereby transferred to Arenga, and one species of Arenga is transferred to Caryota. Analysis of morphological data from over 1500 herbarium specimens resulted in recognition of 24 species of Arenga and 13 species of Caryota. These species are distributed throughout the Asian tropics and subtropics, from southwestern India to Vanuatu, and from southern China and the Ryukyu Islands to northeastern Australia. Nomenclature, descriptions, and distribution maps are provided for all species, including the new combinations, as well as notes on distribution, habitat, reproductive biology, and etymology.