On the Nomenclature of Alocasia odora (Araceae)

Abstract

alocasia odora (Roxb.) k. koch (Araceae) is a species common to tropical Asia and oceania and is a popular ornamental plant in the horticultural industry. it is widely known as "海芋" (hai yu) or "滴水观音" (di shui guan yin) in the Chinese market. The discovery of species of alocasia (Schott) G. Don can be traced back to the Linnean era. As early as Roxburgh's time, a few names (e.g. arum cucullatum lour., arum odorum Roxb., nom. nud., arum fornicatum Roxb., nom. nud. and arum macrorrhizon l.) had been proposed. during a revision of alocasia in China, we noticed that the correct name and typification of alocasia odora and its related nomenclatural entities are unclear in the literature (