NOMINA TRANSMUTATA IN PENSTEMON, WITH A PROPOSAL FOR THEIR TREATMENT

Abstract

SummaryIn 1753, Linnaeus recognized three species of Chelone in Species Plantarum. The first of these is the type of the genus and does not concern us here. The two remaining species are actually members of the genus Penstemon as here understood. Although Francis W. Pennell designated types for these names in 1935 (Mon. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 1: 217, 239), the discussion below attempts to show that the original usage by Linnaeus has not been preserved, and indeed has been switched one with the other. Since such names are empty of meaning, it is proposed that they be rejected as nomina transmutata.