THE COLLECTORS AND TYPE LOCATIONS OF SOME OF LABILLARDIÈRE'S “TERRA VAN‐LEU WIN” (WESTERN AUSTRALIA) SPECIMENS

Abstract

SummaryLabillardière visited Australia in 1792 when he collected many botanical specimens at “capite van‐Dieman” (Tasmania) and at “Baie Le Grand” (Esperance Bay) in “terra van‐Leuwin” (Western Australia). In 1804, Labilkrdière published the first part of “Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen”, which contains descriptions of some of the plants that he collected in New Holland (Australia).While studying Labillardière's original description of Adenanthos obovata, it was noted that the type location was inconsistent with the present distribution pattern of that species. An examination of the areas of distribution of all the species labelled “terra van‐Leuwin” showed that some specimens could not have been collected in Western Australia. In other cases the species could be shown to have been collected in localities in Western Australia that Labillardière did not visit, and therefore must have been collected by other botanists. Thus the type locations, indicated by Labillardière, for a group of species are incorrect. An attempt has been made to correct these anomalies, and to suggest the probable collectors.