Two new species of Metrosideros (Myrtaceae) from New Caledonia: dual characterisation with morphology and nrDNA sequence variation

We have identified two new species of Metrosideros subg. Mearnsia (Myrtaceae) growing on, and apparently endemic to, the massif known as the Roches d’Ouaïème in New Caledonia. Of these two species, we include M. whitakeri in sect. Mearnsia and M. rotundifolia in sect. Calyptropelala. Both morphological assessments and phylogenetic analyses based on nrDNA sequence variation produced congruent interpretations of the novelty of the new species and of their classification.