Ancona et al. 2020 (Article) Tillandsia

Botanical history and typification in the Tillandsia ionantha complex

Author(s):—J.J. Ancona, J.P. Pinzón, J.J.O. Díaz, I.R. Morillo, J. Tun G., C. Palma S. & W. Till

Publication:—TAXON 70: 1–10 (online). (2020)

Abstract:—A historical compilation of the routes and botanists of the 19th century was made about the holotype of Tillandsia ionantha. This species was described by J.E. Planchon in 1855 from an illustration of a plant grown in L. Van Houtte’s greenhouses. After a thorough revision of the main works we concluded that the specimen that served as a model for the T. ionantha illustration is of Mexican origin and was collected by the A. Ghiesbreght team between 1836 and 1845 in the Huatusco region, Veracruz, in northeastern Mexico. Moreover, T. rubentifolia is here lectotypified, and T. scopus is considered a name not validly published.

Keywords:—Bromeliaceae; Mexico; nomenclature; Tillandsia kolbii; Tillandsia scaposa

Taxonomy:—Tillandsia ionantha History of the type specimen (p.6).—Tillandsia ramireziana A one sided elevation of Tillandsia ionantha var. stricta to genus level, without doing the same for other lineages should not been accepted, because this makes the species Tillandsia ionantha paraphyletic. (p.5 fig. 2).—Tillandsia rubentifolia Specimen at P designated as Lectotype (p.6).—Tillandsia scaposa Recognition of Tillandsia scaposa on species level makes Tillandsia ionantha paraphyletic, so it should be recognised on variety level again. (p.5 fig. 2).—Tillandsia vanhyningii Recognition of Tillandsia vanhyningii on species level makes Tillandsia ionantha paraphyletic, so it should be recognised on variety level again. (p.5 fig. 2).