Taxonomic studies in the Mucuna poggei complex (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae)

The Mucuna poggei complex currently comprises four taxa: M. poggei var. pesa and M. poggei var. glabrescens have dehiscent fruits, whilst those of M. poggei var. occidentalis and M. poggei var. poggei are indehiscent. We propose here to re-establish the names M. pesa (= M. poggei var. pesa) and M. pesa var. glabrescens (= M. poggei var. glabrescens) for the two taxa under consideration with dehiscent fruits. Furthermore, although M. poggei var. poggei and M. poggei var. occidentalis have indehiscent fruits, we note that the two taxa show enough morphological differentiation to be considered as separate species. Therefore we propose a new combination, Mucuna occidentalis, for the taxon previously known as M. poggei var. occidentalis. Full taxonomic accounts and an identification key to the four taxa are presented.