Confirming the identity of two enigmatic “spiny solanums” (Solanum subgenus Leptostemonum, Solanaceae) collected by Jean-Baptiste Leschenault in Java

Abstract

Taxonomic revision of the tropical Asian species of Solanum revealed two names, Solanum poka Dunal and Solanum graciliflorum Dunal, whose identities were uncertain and whose application has always been tentative. Material collected in Java at the beginning of the 19th century by Jean-Baptiste Leschenault de la Tour and used to describe these taxa has not been found, despite extensive searches in European herbaria. We here stabilise use of these names by comparing herbarium specimens and drawings of original material made by the artist Toussaint François Node-Véran. Detailed descriptions with synonymy, preliminary conservation assessments and specimen citations are provided for both species. Lectotypes are designated for all names (including synonyms) and epitypes designated for Solanum poka and Solanum graciliflorum to stabilise usage.

A revision of the “spiny solanums” of Tropical Asia (Solanum, the Leptostemonum Clade, Solanaceae)

“… Aubriot et al (2016b) superfluously lectotypified S. athroanthum with the specimen in G-DC (G00145833) but Dunal (1852) clearly cited only this specimen in the protologue, thus making it the holotype.…”

“… Aubriot et al (2016b) recognised S. torvum var. scabrescens as a synonym in their resurrection of the name S. poka but erroneously referred to the Leiden duplicate (L.0403917) of the Junghuhn s.n.…”

“…The inflorescence of S. cyanocarphium is unbranched and the calyx strongly accrescent and covers the berry in fruit. Aubriot et al (2016b) superfluously lectotypified S. athroanthum with the specimen in G-DC (G00145833) but Dunal (1852) clearly cited only this specimen in the protologue, thus making it the holotype.…”

“…Solanum poka can be distinguished from the introduced S. torvum in its strongly keeled calyx lobes with elongate acumens (rather than deltate lobes), red (rather than green) berries, and in the lack of simple glandular trichomes in the inflorescence. Aubriot et al (2016b) recognised S. torvum var. scabrescens as a synonym in their resurrection of the name S. poka but erroneously referred to the Leiden duplicate (L.0403917) of the Junghuhn s.n.…”

“…Based on an unpublished illustration of a Jean-Baptiste Leschenault de la Tour collection from Java kept in the Node-Véran collection in Montpellier (lectotype, designated by Aubriot et al 2016b , pg. 105: [illustration] Sol.…”