neotropical species in Cinnamomum using PAUP 3.1 (Swofford, 1990). Reconstructions of some 
characters were visualized using MacClade 3.0 (Maddison & Maddison, 1992). In this way the 
hypothesized position of the studied species to Cinnamomum, relationships of the pinninerved 
and triplinerved species, and species evolutionary connections were evaluated. Character state 
conditions were determined by outgroup analysis (Watrous & Wheeler, 1981; Maddison et al., 
1984; Stuessey & Crisci, 1984). A more detailed explanation of the methods followed for this 
work is presented in the section dealing with the phylogenetic aspects of this study. 
Results 
I. Taxonomic revision 
General 
After analyzing the morphological characters in Asian species of Phoebe and 
Cinnamomum, | reached the following conclusions: 
1. None of the species in the New World previously ascribed to Phoebe belongs to this 
genus. The survey of morphology shows that true Phoebe species are characterized by a 
combination of traits not found in any of the neotropical species. First, Phoebe species lack a 
hypanthium, or if it is present it is very short, and, no cupule is developed with the maturation of 
the fruit. Second, tepals are entirely persistent but with their bases tightly overlapping and 
clasping the base of the fruit. Third, leaves are always pinninerved and without domatia. Fourth, 
fruit pedicel is never distally swollen. The set of characters observed in Phoebe species seems to 
apply to a group of species placed in Persea in the Neotropics, however, as relationships between 
Persea and Phoebe are poorly understood, it requires further study to conclude if Phoebe is 
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