Phylogeny of Schinus L. (Anacardiaceae) with a new infrageneric classification and insights into evolution of spinescence and floral traits.

•Schinus is monophyletic, but most of its infrageneric categories are polyphyletic.•We propose a novel infrageneric classification recognizing eight sections.•New sections are correlated with particular geographic and ecological areas.•The cage-like arrangement may be a plant defense against mammalian herbivores.•Petal to stamen size ratio is mostly correlated with distinct geographical areas.