Axolopha wigandii, , Alefeld, 1862

Iamonico, Duilio, 2016, Nomenclatural notes and morphological observations on Malva subovata s. l. (Malvaceae), Phytotaxa 275 (1), pp. 23-34 : 24

Axolopha wigandii

Axolopha wigandii was described by Alefeld (1862: 259–260) who dedicated the new species to Prof.A. J. W. Wigand. A detailed diagnosis (in German) was provided, as well as data about habitat, locality, collection date and collector (“ In fissuris rupium calcarearum regionis calidae superioris Cerro San. Anton pr. urb. Malaga 1000–1500’ leg. 29. Apr. 1845: Willkomm. ”). Alefeld (l.c.) also compared A. wigandii with A. maritima (Gouan) Alefeld (1862: 260) , highlighting that the new species differs in having narrower leaves (ratio length/width 1.5 vs.> 2 times in A. maritima ), a higher ratio calyx/corolla length (3/5 vs. ≤ 1/2), and smaller petals (“ 6½ L. lg. 4½ L. br. ” vs. “ 10– 11 L. lg. 10– 11 L. br. ”). Concerning the provenance of A. wigandii, Alefeld (1862) referred to Willkomm (1880: 582) who reported “ Granat. (pr. Malaga), in collib. Cerro Coronato et St. Anton... ” as one of the localities of L. maritima . I found a specimen in the Willkomm collection at COI (code 57052) that bears seven pieces of three different plants, and three labels. The pieces on the right of the sheet were collected by H. M. Willkomm “ in fissuris rupium calcarearum regionis calidae...prope urbem Malaga...Cerro San Anton ” on April 29 1845. It can be considered part of the original material. Fortunately, this specimen matches Alefeld’s diagnosis, and it is here designated as the lectotype of A. wigandii . Fernandes (1968a: 408) identified the sheet COI-57052, indicating the plants on the right (the lectotype), as the isotype of A. wigandii . According to the Art. 9.4 of ICN “ an isotype is any duplicate of the holotype; it is always a specimen ”, but Fernandes (1968a) has not indicated a holotype for A. wigandii . Therefore, the Fernandes’ designation is not correct. Moreover, since it cannot unequivocally be demonstrated that Alefeld (1862) used only that specimen in establishing the diagnosis (see the Art. 9.1 Note1), a lectotype should be designated.