Taxonomic and nomenclatural novelties in the Pteris fauriei group (Pteridaceae)

The Pteris fauriei group (Pteridaceae) includes Pteris with bipinnatisect laminae and entire pinnules. The taxonomic debate is led by morphological similarity and aggravated by the wide geographic distribution and a large number of involved taxa. We collected more than 500 plants and examined related herbarium specimens. Based on the evidence of morphology, molecular phylogeny, ecology, and reproductive biology, we propose the following taxonomic and nomenclatural novelties. 1) Two new species, Pteris austrotaiwanensis Y.S.Chao from Taiwan and Pteris pseudowulaiensis Y.S.Chao from China and Taiwan, are described. 2) The occurrence of Pteris wulaiensis in Japan is confirmed. 3) Pteris fauriei var. chinensis was treated as a synonym of Pteris latipinna Y.S.Chao & W.L.Chiou. 4) Pteris fauriei var. minor Hieron. is raised as species, Pteris minor (Hieron.) Y.S.Chao stat. nov. In this study, we clarify morphology of all known taxa in the P. fauriei group and provide a key.