A Question of Priority: Pterospora andromedea Nuttall vs. Monotropa procera Torrey ex Eaton (Monotropoideae, Ericaceae)

Abstract

Clarity is lacking on the priority of the names Pterospora andromedea Nutt. versus Monotropa procera Torr. ex Eaton, both of which were published in 1818, and the suggested clear answer may not be the correct answer. Taxonomic Literature, second edition, provides a publication date of 14 July 1818 for Nuttall’s Genera of North American Plants and a publication date of June 1818 for Eaton’sManual of Botany ed. 2. However, upon closer scrutiny, the situation is more complex. The sources for these publication dates are discussed in order to trace the likely sequence of events leading up to publication. Findings suggest that it is unlikely that Eaton’sManual ed. 2 was published in June 1818. Additional evidence included in Eaton’s Manual ed. 2 and correspondence make it clear that Eaton was in possession of a published copy of Nuttall’s Genera as he was writing hisManual ed. 2. Consequently, regardless of exact date of publication of either of the works, Nuttall’sGenerawas published before Eaton’sManual ed. 2, so Pterospora andromedeaNutt. has priority over Monotropa procera Torr. ex Eaton and should remain the correct name.