Nomenclatural notes and morphological observations on Malva subovata s.l. (Malvaceae)

Abstract

Nomenclatural notes and morphological observations on Malva subovata sensu lato (Malvaceae) are discussed. The names Axolpha wigandii, L. africana by Cavanilles, L. africana by Miller, L. maritima, L. maritima var. purpurea, L. maritima var. trilobata, L. rupestris, and Lavatera subovata are lectotypified upon specimens preserved in the Herbaria BM, COI, G-DC, LY, MPU, and upon illustrations by Cavanilles and Gouan, while L. gallica, L. rotundifolia, and Olbia canescens are illegitimate names. Cavanilles’ L. africana, L. maritima, and A. wigandii are confirmed to be synonyms of L. subovata. Miller’s L. africana, a prevoiusly published homonym of Cavanilles’ L. africana, refers to another species. L. gallica, L. maritima var. purpurea, L. maritima var. trilobata, L. rotundifolia, and Olbia canescens are to be considered synonyms of L. subovata s.s. On the basis of morphological features and distribution areas, the current infraspecific classification of M. subovata s.l. (three subspecies) cannot be retained, and the better choice is the recognition of only two infraspecific taxa (subsp. subovata and subsp. bicolor), while the subsp. rupestris is to be treated as a synonym of the autonymic subspecies.