A critical examination of the status of Pernettya as a genus distinct from Gaultheria

Abstract

The taxonomic status of the genus Pernettya Gaud. (Ericaceae) has been assessed by comparing morphological, anatomical, chemical and cytological characters between Pernettya, Gaultheria L. and a number of other genera in the Gaultheria group of the tribe Andromedeae. It has been concluded that Pernettya is not sufficiently distinct from Gaultheria to be maintained as a separate genus. Two new names and fifteen new combinations within Gaultheria are here proposed.