Echinodorus multiflorus Rataj (1989: 23–25)

Somogyi, Jozef, 2019, Typification of three Rataj’s names in the genus Echinodorus (Alismataceae), Phytotaxa 404 (1), pp. 63-64 : 64

Echinodorus multiflorus Rataj (1989: 23–25)

Holotype: nonexistent, but indicated in the protologue (see Somogyi 2017). In this context, it is remarkable that according to the protologue the holotype is a herbarium specimen; later Rataj wrote that the holotype of this name consists of photographs ( Rataj 2004: 96).

Lectotype (designated here): photograph in Rataj (1989: 23). This photograph can also be seen in Rataj (2004: 97, Fig. 2).

No living plants or herbarium specimens of this species are available, therefore it is not possible to designate an epitype. The interpretation of this name remains unclear because the lectotype photograph (as well as all other published photographs of E. multiflorus ) is ambiguous and cannot be critically identified (the details necessary for correct identification are not visible) for purposes of the precise application of the name to a taxon. Therefore, this name was not typified by Somogyi (2017: 17) and none of the published photographs of E. multiflorus was designated as a neotype.

In this context, it should be noted that the type of a name of a new species or infraspecific taxon may be an illustration prior to 1 January 2007; on or after that date, the type must be a specimen (Art. 40.4 of the Shenzhen Code). Somogyi (2017: 17, 20) also added a reference to this rule (Art. 40.4 of the Melbourne Code) as additional information in connection with E. multiflorus and Echinodorus veronikae Rataj (1988: 30) .