Revised classification of Acanthaceae and worldwide dichotomous keys

Acanthaceae are among the most taxonomically diverse, geographically widespread, and morphologically and ecologically variable lineages of flowering plants. Most modern workers have estimated more than 4000 species and potentially more than 5000 species worldwide, thus placing Acanthaceae among the 12 or so most diverse families of angiosperms. This diversity is marked by exceptional morphological variation, particularly with respect to floral forms, growth forms, and pollen types. The present work represents a synthesis of knowledge generated over the past two decades on the taxonomy and systematics of this complex plant family. We place all 191 accepted genera within a revised classification of the family. Dichotomous keys (nine in total) to recognize the major lineages of Acanthaceae are presented together with geographically partitioned keys to all genera, covering (a) Africa, Madagascar, the Mediterranean region, and Arabia; (b) Asia and Australasia; and (c) the Americas. Finally, we validate several new tribes, subtribes, and genera, and provide new combinations for species where generic delimitation has changed. Our hope is that the present contribution serves to benefit future research on the systematics of Acanthaceae and provides a foundation upon which future classification efforts can be built.