Erica L. (Ericaceae): homonyms amongst published names for African species and proposed replacement names

Abstract

In support of ongoing taxonomic work on the large and complex flowering plant genus Erica (Ericaceae), we document nineteen pairs of homonyms representing currently used illegitimate names. We provide replacements for thirteen names and new typifications for five. We relegate five names to synonymy: Erica aemula Guthrie & Bolus under Erica distorta Bartl.; Erica armata Klotzsch ex Benth. under Erica umbrosa H. A. Baker; Erica capensis T.M. Salter under Erica turbiniflora Salisb.; Erica lanata Andrews under Erica flaccida Link; and Erica tomentosa Salisb. under Erica velutina Bartl. Finally, we suggest conservation of Erica aristata Andrews. The new names are: Erica adelopetala E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Erica insignis E.G.H. Oliv.; Erica bombycina E.C. Nelson & Pirie replacing Erica niveniana E.G.H. Oliv.; Erica concordia E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Erica constantia Nois. ex Benth.; Erica didymocarpa E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Erica rugata E.G.H. Oliv.; Erica galantha E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Erica perlata Benth.; Erica mallotocalyx E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Erica flocciflora Benth.; Erica notoporina E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing E. autumnalis L.Bolus; Erica oliveranthus E.C. Nelson & Pirie replacing Erica tenuis Salisb.; Erica oraria E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Erica spectabilis Klotzsch ex Benth.; Erica oresbia E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Erica demissa Klotzsch ex Benth.; Erica poculiflora E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Erica stenantha Klotzsch ex Benth.; Erica rhodella E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Erica rhodantha Guthrie & Bolus; Erica supranubia E.C. Nelson & Pirie replacing Erica praecox Klotzsch.