Towards a phylogenetic classification of the Ocotea complex (Lauraceae): classification principles and reinstatement of Mespilodaphne

The large genus Ocotea (c. 400 species) has been known to be paraphyletic with respect to most other Neotropical genera of Lauraceae for almost 20 years, but a phylogenetic classification has not yet been proposed. Here we present a phylogenetic analysis, based on ITS and psbA-trnH sequences of 123 species from the Ocotea complex, focused on the Neotropical species with bisexual flowers. Our results show that several well-supported clades can be recognized morphologically. We discuss the principles of splitting monophyletic genera from large paraphyletic groups, and we reinstate the genus Mespilodaphne as a first step towards a phylogenetic classification. In addition, three species previously included in Aiouea are transferred to Damburneya.