Clarifying the nomenclature of Crateva trifoliata (Capparaceae)

Abstract

Capparis trifoliata Roxb., the supposed basionym of ‘Crateva adansonii subsp. trifoliata (Roxb.) Jacobs’ and ‘Crateva trifoliata (Roxb.) B.S.Sun’, is shown to represent an illegitimate renaming of Crateva religiosa G.Forst. However, Jacobs effectively excluded the nomenclatural type of Capparis trifoliata, thus avoiding creating a superfluous name, and instead described Crateva adansonii subsp. trifoliata Jacobs validated by the citation of the Latin description of Crateva erythrocarpa Gagnep. Sun also excluded the type of Crateva religiosa, but his effective transfer of C. adansonii subsp. trifoliata to specific rank does not have priority over Crateva erythrocarpa Gagnep., which is therefore the correct name for this taxon when it is considered a distinct species. The name Crateva nurvula Buch.-Ham. is formally lectotypified.