Triplaris brasiliana Cham. (1833: 139–140)

Koenemann, Daniel Mark & Burke, Janelle M., 2025, A nomenclatural synopsis of the genus Triplaris (Polygonaceae), Phytotaxa 700 (2), pp. 115-146 : 120-121

Triplaris brasiliana Cham. (1833: 139–140)

Type (designated here):— BRAZIL. Pohl s.n. (neotype: BR [ BR 13507299, digital image!]).

Notes:— Brandbyge (1986), despite indicating that he was never able to see a specimen of Triplaris brasiliana , synonymized this name with T. americana L. The protologue reports “Brasilia, Provincia Minas Geraes (sic.). Sellow. Lhotzky.” as provenance and collectors. Unfortunately, we have not located any specimens of T. brasiliana collected by Sellow and/or Lhotzky. Meisner (1855) indicated that this specimen was housed at B where most of collections were destroyed during the second world war. No photonegative was found at F.

Meisner (1855) included a partial illustration (including only fruits) of Triplaris brasiliana in one of the plates associated with the Triplaridae. It is likely that Brandbyge (1986) used this plate to synonymize T. brasiliana with T. americana . Meisner (1855) also cited an additional specimen not included as part of the protologue “Pohl in Martius’ herbarium”. We found at BR (where Martius’ herbarium is housed) a single specimen of T. brasiliana collected by Pohl in Brazil and with a specimen label reading “HERBARIUM MARTII” ( BR 13507299). The label also indicates that there is a duplicate specimen at W. We were unable to locate this duplicate specimen.

Meyer (1840) cites an additional Riedel specimen not included as part of the protologue but without giving the location of its housing. We were not able to find a Riedel specimen of Triplaris brasiliana at LE (Riedel’s home herbarium). We were able to locate a specimen of Riedel s.n. collected in Brazil at OXF ( OXF 9171) and labeled as “ Triplaris ”. Yet, this specimen does not present any other information that could link it with either T. brasiliana or the type locality in Minas Gerais.

Given that the original material used to describe this species is most likely destroyed, a neotype should be designated. The Pohl s.n. specimen at BR is the best candidate for neotypification, an action which we take here.