Robert L. Wilbur

THE LECTOTYPE OF THE GENERIC NAME BIGNONIA-AGAIN

Summary Dispute over the lectotypification of the Linnaean genus Bignonia has resulted in numerous conflicting nomenclatural papers during the past century. Repeated interpretations of the protologue and study of both pre- and post-1753 usage have failed to provide a generally accepted type resulting in considerable nomenclatural confusion. Strict application of the Code, in my opinion, results in the acceptance of Bignonia unguis-cati L. as the generic lectotype as it was the first species explicitly so designated. However, the usage of most current floras and botanists would be best served by conserving Bignonia capreolata L. as the lectotype of the genus Bignonia and this is recommended to the Spermatophyta Committee.

The Correct Name for the Hawaiian Gossypium: G. Sandvicense

The original publication by Seemann (I865) of the binomial Gossypium tomentosum included cited specimens and descriptive phrases of both the Hawaiian endemic to which Nuttalls unpublished binomial, G. tomentosum, was first applied and also an introduced Fijian cotton studied by Seemann during his botanical exploration of Fiji. It should be pointed out that Fijian cotton was of special interest to Seemann since his charge from the British Colonial Office instructed him to pay particular attention to Fiji as a potentially important cotton-producing area. Wilbur (1964) attempted to prove that the larger part of Seemanns protologue applied to an introduced Fijian cotton rather than to the Hawaiian endemic although it was most evident that the original account was an amalgam including distinctive descriptive material from both elements. In fact specimens and accounts of plants from India were also implied to belong to G. tomentosum in the protologue. Wilburs efforts to restrict the binomial G. tomentosum to the Fijian cotton were rejected by Fryxell (1972) who attempted to lectotypify Seemanns binomial by Nuttalls collection from Oahu. Fryxells solution seems contrary to the guide provided for the determination of types (ICBN p. 76. 1972).