Three new species of Ziziphus (Rhamnaceae) from Maharashtra, India, Z. bhandarii Gholave & S.P.Gaikwad, Z. naikii Gholave & S.P.Gaikwad, and Z. bhansalii Gholave & S.P.Gaikwad are described here. These species occur in isolated fragments of the Deccan thorn scrub forest ecoregion on the Deccan plateau. Their placement in Ziziphus is confirmed by molecular analyses combining ITS and trnL-F regions. Given this phylogeny is the most robust to date of Ziziphus, a previously proposed intrageneric classification was tested, and the classification was not supported suggesting a need for additional investigations in this genus. The new species are most closely related to three Indian species, Z. horrida Roth, Z. xylopyrus (Retz.) Willd., and Z. caracutta Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb, respectively, which are morphologically similar and sympatric, and are distinguishable from known species based on several vegetative and reproductive characteristics presented here. A diagnostic key to the Ziziphus species known to occur in Maharashtra is provided.

Funding provided by: Science and Engineering Research BoardCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001843Award Number: SERB/ PDF/2016/001910 Funding provided by: National Research Foundation of KoreaCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100003725Award Number: NRF-2016R1A6A1A05011910

Please see the accompanying published article: Gholave et al. (2023). Three Newly Described Species of Ziziphus from Maharashtra, India Based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence. Systematic Botany.