New species and combinations published in M.J. Young’s Familiar Lessons in Botany with Flora of Texas (1873)

Abstract

Familiar lessons in Botany with flora of Texas (1873) by M.J. Young was analyzed to establish how many nomenclatural novelties it contains. The flora portion of the book, written with the assistance of S.B. Buckley, borrowed almost all its descriptions, often verbatim, from earlier floras. Despite extensive copying, Young described two and Buckley one new species in this flora, and Young made six new combinations. These nine names as well as eight others either incorrectly attributed to Young or misapplied by her are discussed and seven lectotypes and four neotypes are designated here. Information is provided on when the manuscript for Familiar lessons in Botany appears to have been completed, when the book was published, and how it was publicized. Bibliographic and herbarium sources used by the author are discussed. In addition, details concerning Young’s small circle of botanical contacts and correspondents are given to provide context for her unique contribution to the flora of Texas.