Sphaeranthus indicus Linnaeus, Species Plantarum 2: 927. 1753.

"Habitat in India ." RCN: 6716.

Lectotype (Anderberg in Jarvis & al., Regnum Veg. 127: 90. 1993): [icon] "Sphaeranthos purpurea, alata, serrata" in Burman, Thes. Zeylan.: 220, t. 94, f. 3. 1737.

Generitype of Sphaeranthus Linnaeus.

Current name: Sphaeranthus indicus L. ( Asteraceae).

Note: Grierson (in Ceylon J. Sci., Biol. Sci. 11: 17-18. 1974), in a detailed study, rejected Herb. Hermann 2: 15, No. 312 (BM) as a possible lectotype as it conflicts with Linnaeus’ diagnosis, and appeared to argue in favour of 1044.1 (LINN) as the type. Unfortunately, the LINN sheet lacks a Species Plantarum number (i.e. “1”) and is evidently a post-1753 addition to the herbarium and not original material for the name. Oddly, Grierson later (in Dassanayake & Fosberg, Revised Handb. Fl. Ceylon 1:81. 1980) referred to the Hermann material as type. Anderberg’s choice therefore has priority.