Typification of Arctotis plantaginea and names in the Arctotis semipapposa species complex (Asteraceae, Arctotideae)

Abstract

AbstractThe name Arctotis plantaginea L. was published by Linnaeus in Species plantarum ed. 2, but application of this name has been uncertain and no original elements or illustrations can be traced. Consequently, it is still untypified. In early applications the name was applied to specimens of at least five species until Thunberg unequivocally applied the name to an element of the species currently known as A. semipapposa (DC.) Beauverd. Subsequently, A. plantaginea has been placed as a synonym of A. semipapposa, but it has nomenclatural priority over the latter name. In order to maintain nomenclatural stability, we herein designate a neotype for A. plantaginea, which results in its falling into the synonymy of A. angustifolia L., thus preserving usage of the well‐established name A. semipapposa. Names in the A. semipapposa species complex are typified and nomenclatural issues concerning some of the names are resolved. In addition, A. macrosperma (DC.) Beauverd is placed in the synonymy of A. semipapposa.