Weniomeles B.B.Liu

Editorial Note

Erected very recently (2023) as a monotypic genus split from Stranvaesia, containing only the evergreen Chinese and Vietnamese species Weniomeles bodinieri (H.Lév.) B.B.Liu, syn. Stranvaesia bodinieri (H.Lév.) B.B.Liu & J.Wen, Photinia bodinieri H.Lév. Since then a second species has been transferred from Photinia, W. atropurpurea (P.L.Chiu ex Z.H.Chen & X.F.Jin) B.B.Liu. (Wang et al. 2024).

Weniomeles appears to be a particularly clear instance of reticulate evolution, where descent cannot solely be characterised in terms of divergent or branching speciation (as cladistic phylogenetics assumes), but instead includes multiple instances of hybridisation and introgression. The result is a phylogeny that is structured more like a web or net than a branched tree. It seems clear that such lineages are far more widespread than previously assumed, though the concept has been (and remains) difficult to model in practice because it conflicts with some of the foundational axioms of both evolutionary biology and plant systematics (see Jin et al. 2023).

This evolutionary complexity, and the related propensity to polyploidy, are among the factors that render the taxonomy of the Maleae so difficult to interpret.

This genus was covered neither by Bean’s Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles nor by New Trees. A full account will be provided when funds are available. If you would like to sponsor the work please write to editor@treesandshrubsonline.org