Abstract

Mimosa setosa Benth., as currently circumscribed, is a polytypic species comprising four subspecies and eight varieties. A recent phylogenetic analysis showed that these infraspecific taxa do not form a monophyletic group. Association of morphological analysis of a complete set of specimens gathered from several herbaria, including types and recent collections, with the application of the Phylogenetic Species Concept lead to recognition of taxa currently placed under M. setosa as six different species. Congruence among phylogenetic data, geography and use of the specific rank as the least inclusive unity for description allows for better comparison of biological diversity and an improved circumscription of taxa in the M. setosa complex.