Erythrina L. (Phaseoleae, Papilionoideae, Leguminosae) of Brazil: an updated nomenclatural treatment with notes on etymology and vernacular names

Abstract

Erythrina L. is a genus that comprises ca. 120 to 130 species distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics of the world. Linnaeus established the genus in Genera Plantarum (1737) and the first binomial name given to a Brazilian Erythrina was E. crista-galli L., described by himself in Mantissa Plantarum (1767). Vellozo proposed in Florae Fluminensis (1790–1881) the first treatment of the genus in Brazil, where he treated three species from the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Martins and Tozzi proposed the most recent treatment in 2018, where the authors recognized 11 valid names and presented three new synonyms. Despite extensive efforts already made in the genus, previous works did not treat all names related to the valid ones for Brazilian Erythrina. The present work is the most comprehensive and up-to-date nomenclatural treatment for the genus in Brazil, covering all 84 related names found on digital nomenclatural databases. Here we analyze 64 protologues, update typification statuses, propose five new synonyms, 13 new lectotypes (11 first-step, two second-step) and one neotype, linking all protologues and type specimens with their corresponding available digital sources, and make additional notes on etymology and vernacular names.