The correct name for Desmodium rotundifolium Baker in Desmodiastrum (Desmodieae: Fabaceae)

Abstract

Meibomia bakeriana Kuntze is the earliest legitimate species name available for Baker's illegitimate Desmodium rotundifolium. Alysicarpus rotundifolius Dalzell ex Prain and Desmodium ritchiei Sanjappa are illegitimate superfluous names for the same species, whereas Desmodiastrum rotundifolium (A.Pramanik and Thoth.) Sanjappa cannot be used because of the lack of priority. H. Ohashi and K. Ohashi published an isonym in Desmodiastrum. The new combination Desmodiastrum bakerianum (Kuntze) Kottaim. is proposed here in order to provide a correct name for the species occurring in India.