Synopsis and lectotypification of Solanum (Solanaceae) species endemic in the West Indies

Abstract

The West Indies (Bahamas, Greater and Lesser Antilles) is an area of high species richness and more importantly, species-level endemism in many groups. Solanum (Solanaceae) is diverse in the region with 25 endemic species (S. bahamense is near-endemic, bringing number to 26). Nineteen of these taxa are single-island endemics, and some have not been re-collected since the early 20th century. A synopsis of the species endemic to the West Indies is presented, with full synonymy and distribution; a single representative specimen is cited for each. All accepted names and synonyms are lectotypified where necessary; many of these taxa were described from collections in Berlin (B) that are no longer extant. Lectotypes newly designated here are illustrated.

Keywords

• typification
• historic collections
• america
• exploration
• west indies
• caribbbean
• diversity