Lectotypification of the Linnaean name Dianthus virgineus (Caryophyllaceae) and its taxonomic consequences

Abstract

A lectotype is designated for the name Dianthus virgineus. The relationships between D. virgineus, D. caryophyllus var. caryophyllus, and D. caryophyllus var. inodorus are analyzed. Dianthus virgineus is the oldest available name that applies to a species complex that is often referred to as D. sylvestris or a broad circumscription of the cultivated ornamental D. caryophyllus. The taxonomic consequences are discussed, and the need for further studies is highlighted.

Genome Size Variation in Dianthus sylvestris Wulfen sensu lato (Caryophyllaceae)

“…This high diversity is a result of rapid radiation and diversification, which was pronounced especially in the Mediterranean Basin [ 42 ], where several polymorphic Dianthus groups with high intraspecific diversity, and thus unresolved taxonomy exist [ 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. One of them is Dianthus sylvestris Wulfen s.l., which is one of the most taxonomically challenging groups of the European flora [ 49 , 50 ]. Its main diversity centers are the Balkan and the Apennine Peninsulas, where large morphological variation has led to description of several taxa growing in various habitats from the Mediterranean coast to the alpine belt [ 44 , 45 , 47 , 51 ].…”

Phenotypic correlates of genetic divergence suggest at least three species in the complex of Dianthus virgineus (Caryophyllaceae)

“…(2023) found two main morphological units, incongruent with traditional taxonomy, that were mainly differentiated by the shape of their epicalyx scales and their calyx length (along with some petal features that are not considered in the present work). Furthermore, the combination of different shape and length of calyx teeth has been strictly linked to the diverse shape of floral buds found between D. virgineus and D. inodorus from type localities (Domina & al., 2021b). Our results are consistent with the observations made by Tison & de Foucault (2014), who stated that plants occurring in the French Alps are easily recognizable from plants from the eastern Alps for their longer calyx, and from plants from Mediterranean France for the presence of just one pair of epicalyx scales.…”

“…Accordingly, we deem that the recognition of these three lineages as three different species is adequate on taxonomic grounds. The oldest available name which applies to the “Apennine” lineage is the Linnaean Dianthus virgineus , originally described from Montpellier, southern France (Domina & al., 2021b). For the “Alpine” lineage, the oldest available name is Dianthus inodorus (L.) Gaertn., originally described from the surroundings of Verona, northern Italy (Domina & al., 2021b).…”

“…The oldest available name which applies to the “Apennine” lineage is the Linnaean Dianthus virgineus , originally described from Montpellier, southern France (Domina & al., 2021b). For the “Alpine” lineage, the oldest available name is Dianthus inodorus (L.) Gaertn., originally described from the surroundings of Verona, northern Italy (Domina & al., 2021b). Finally, the name Dianthus sylvestris Wulfen, originally described from Slovenia (Domina & al., 2021a), would apply to the “Balkan” lineage.…”

“…The interplay of the above‐mentioned processes causes complex phenotypic patterns, such that many Dianthus species can be interpreted as species groups comprising multiple units, at varying taxonomic ranks (Bernal & al., 1990; Crespí & al., 2007; Hardion & al., 2020). In this context, the central‐southern European D. virgineus L. complex is a remarkable example of systematic and taxonomic complexity (Domina & al., 2021a,b). The morphological discrimination among taxa within this complex was traditionally based on features regarding calyx, corolla, and epicalyx scales (Tutin & Walters, 1993).…”