Oncinocalyx

Abstract: A taxonomic revision of the monotypic genus Oncinocalyx is presented and its affinities and distribution are considered. A detailed description of the type species, O. betchei, is supplemented by a habit sketch of a flowering branch and analytical drawings of the flower. Taxonomic History of the Genus The genus Oncinocalyx was described by F. Mueller (1883) with one species O. betchei, the type of which was collected by E. Betche (s.n.) from Gunnedah near the Namoi River in New South Wales, Australia. It was then considered to "mediate the transit from Verbenaceae to Labiatae". In the protologue, F. Muell. (1883) drew special attention to some characters that are in common with Oncinocalyx and the genera Notochaete Benth. and Hyptis Jacq. in the Lamiaceae, Teucridium Hook.f. in the Verbenaceae and Phryma L. in the Phrymaceae, but he apparently retained it in the Verbenaceae. A year later, C. Moore (1884) placed the genus in the Lamiaceae but F. Mueller (1889) retained it in the Verbenaceae. The family Verbenaceae has been accepted for the genus by all subsequent botanists.