Ensuring Stability: Contributions to the Nomenclature of the Neotropical Genus Matayba Aubl. (Sapindaceae)Abstract
Matayba comprises approximately 50 species of shrubs and trees distributed from Mexico to northern Argentina. The genus is divided into four sections, although names grouped into the sections Matayba sect. Apiomatayba, M. sect. Macaca, and M. sect. Ratonia evidence nomenclatural and typification problems. Fourteen lectotypes and one neotype (M. tovarensis) are proposed here to promote the nomenclatural stability of these sections.
Keywords:
Cupanieae; Lectotype; Neotype; Sapindales; Systematic; Taxonomy
Introduction
The genus Matayba Aubl. (Sapindaceae) comprises approximately 50 species restricted to the neotropical region. It is characterized by falsely polygamous dioecious flowers, a short calyx, and a corolla that is equal to or longer than the calyx, with tomentose appendages (Radlkofer, 1879; 1934; Acevedo-Rodríguez et al., 2011; Coelho et al., 2017).
The pioneering taxonomic study of Sapindaceae, which includes this genus, was conducted by Radlkofer (1890; 1895; 1934), and his classifications are still widely used for species recognition. Radlkofer (1934) proposed dividing the species of Matayba into four distinct sections based on the morphological characteristics of their fruits and their geographic distributions across the Americas: Matayba sect. Apiomatayba Radlk., M. sect. Macaca Radlk., M. sect. Matayba, and M. sect. Ratonia (DC.) Radlk. Radlkofer described and proposed new combinations for several species within Matayba in his 1934 monograph, but only indicated their syntypes, without specifying in which herbaria the type materials were deposited.
Since Radlkofer’s work, additional species have been described in the genus (e.g., Reitz, 1980; Coelho et al., 2012; 2014), and a taxonomic and nomenclatural revision of Matayba sect. Matayba was conducted more recently, highlighting the need for typifications (Coelho et al., 2017).
During the monographic study of Matayba sect. Apiomatayba, Matayba, M. sect. Macaca, and M. sect. Ratonia (Barbosa, 2024), the need for detailed taxonomic investigations of these sections became evident, as several taxonomic and nomenclatural issues were responsible for confusion in herbarium determinations and the development of local floras. We therefore propose here the designation of 14 lectotypes and one neotype for Matayba.
Materials and Methods
The taxonomic revision was conducted based on original descriptions, consultations of nomenclatural types, and a review of the specialized literature cited in the species comments. Herbarium collections at the ASU, BM, BR, F, FI, G, GOET, IAN, INPA, K, L, LSU, M, MG, MO, NY, P, RB, SP, U, UEC, UNM, US, VEN, YU, and W herbaria (acronyms according to Thiers, 2025) were studied using high-resolution images; when necessary, direct contacts were made with the curators. The images of materials referenced in original publications were obtained from JSTOR Global Plants (http://plants.jstor.org/), REFLORA (http://reflora.jbrj.gov.br/reflora), INCT-HVFF (http://inct.splink.org.br/), or the respective herbarium websites: BM (https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/services/collections/botany.html), BR (https://www.plantentuinmeise.be/en/herbarium-a-botanical-treasure-trove-lzkh), F (https://collections-botany.fieldmuseum.org/), FI (https://parlatore.msn.unifi.it/types/search.php), G (https://collections.geneve.ch/cjbg/chg/?lang=en), K (https://species.data.kew.org/), LSU (https://www.lsu.edu/herbarium/explore/index.php), M (https://bsm.snsb.de/?lang=de), MO (https://www.tropicos.org/image/Search), NY (https://sweetgum.nybg.org/science/vh/), P (https://www.mnhn.fr/en/vascular-plants-collection), RB (https://jabot.jbrj.gov.br/v3/consulta.php), US (https://collections.nmnh.si.edu/search/botany/), YU (https://collections.peabody.yale.edu/search/Search/Advanced?collection=Botany&searchText2=CBS&searchField2=CatalogNumber&searchText3=YU&searchField3=CatalogNumber&matchTerms=OR) and W (https://jacq.org/database?). Typifications were made in accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN; Turland et al., 2025).
Results and Discussion
1. Matayba apetala Radlk., Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Cl. Königl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. München 9(4): 512. 1879. Type: JAMAICA. Sine loco, s.d., MacFadyen s.n. (Lectotype [designated here]: K [barcode K000586070!]).
http://specimens.kew.org/herbarium/K000586070
Originally cited syntypes: Wright 2180 (BM [barcode] BM000992100!), Ramon 17 (not found), 41 (not found), 52 (not found), 202 (not found), 219 (not found), 337 (not found); Otto 221 (not found); March s.n. (not found); Wilson s.n. (not found). = Matayba mexicana (Turcz.) Radlk., Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Cl. Königl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. München 9(4): 624. (1879). ≡ Cupania mexicana Turcz., Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 31: 405 (1858). Type: MEXICO. Cordillera: Veracruz, near Mirador, Jun. - Oct. 1840, G.H. Galeotti 3092 (Lectotype [designated here]: K [barcode K000586061!]; isolectotypes: BR [barcode BR0000005416998!], F [barcode F0071633F!], G [barcode G00007880!], K [barcode K000586062!] and W [barcode 0006243!]). http://specimens.kew.org/herbarium/K000586061
Originally cited syntypes: Linden 734 (BR [barcode BR0000005417322!], BR [barcode BR0000005417650!], G [barcode G00007878!], G [barcode G00007879!], and K [barcode K000586062!]).
MacFadyen (1837) described Cupania apetala Macfad. based on his own collection from Jamaica. However, this name is considered illegitimate (nom. illeg.) because it is a later homonym of Cupania apetala Labill. (1825) (Art. 53.1 ICN; Turland et al., 2025). Later, Radlkofer (1879), in his taxonomic treatment, described Matayba apetala Radlk., characterized by leaflets ranging from 4 to 10, elliptical, with several veins, densely marked and small reticulated lines; rudimentary petals; glabrous nectariferous disc; glabrous stamens; and a slightly pubescent ovary. Matayba apetala was described based on 11 vouchers from two different countries, eight of which were collected in Cuba (Ramon 17, 41, 52, 202, 219, 337, Otto 221, Wright 2180) and three in Jamaica (MacFadyen s.n., March s.n., and Wilson s.n.). A thorough search allowed us to locate the MacFadyen s.n. specimen in the K Herbarium (specimen K000586070) and the Wright 2180 specimen in the BM Herbarium (specimen BM000992100). We selected the MacFadyen s.n. specimen (K000586070) as the lectotype of M. apetala because it precisely matches the characteristics cited in the original work and bears the seal of the Herbarium Hookerianum, referenced in the original publication, as well as important handwritten notes by Radlkofer. Thus, we hereby formalize K000586070 as the lectotype of M. apetala.
Matayba mexicana is a heterotypic synonym of M. apetala. It was originally described as Cupania mexicana by Turczaninow (1858) based on the Linden 734 and Galeotti 3092 syntypes (Arts. 9.6, 40.3 of the ICN, Turland et al., 2025) from Mexico, although it did not mention the repository herbaria. Radlkofer (1879) transferred this species to Matayba mexicana, identifying several characteristics that supported its inclusion in the genus Matayba, but did not specify the types. Radlkofer (1934) later mentioned the repository herbaria: Galeotti 3092 in the P Herbarium and Linden 734 in the DC and Boissier Herbaria, without designating a lectotype. No record of Galeotti 3092 was found in the MNHN database. However, Linden 734 was located in the Boissier Herbarium of the Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève, containing information corresponding to the species’ protologue and Radlkofer's works (Radlkofer, 1879; 1934), as well as a label confirming its origin: "HERBIER BARBEY-BOISSIER." After extensive research, we formalize here the lectotypification of Galeotti 3092, deposited in the Kew Herbarium (K000586061) as the lectotype of M. mexicana, with isolectotypes distributed worldwide in various collections, including herbaria with which Turczaninow collaborated (Stafleu & Cowan, 1976; 1981; 1983; 1986; 1988). The remnants of the Linden 734 syntype are housed in various herbaria under the following accession numbers: BR0000005417322, BR0000005417650, G00007878, G00007879, and K000586062.
2. Matayba clavelligera Radlk. Botanical Gazette 33(4): 250. 1902. Type: GUATEMALA. Alta Verapaz: Cubilquitz, December, 1900, H. von Tuerckheim 7979 (Lectotype [designated here]: (M [barcode M-0224997!]; isolectotypes: A [barcode 00050816!], GH [barcode G00050817!], K [barcode K000586063!], NY [barcode NY 337906!], US [barcode US 01107887!], US [barcode 01107888!], US [barcode 01107889!]).
https://plants.jstor.org/fsi/img/size3/alukaplant/m/phase_01/m0007/m0224997.jpg
Originally cited syntypes:Bernouilli & Cario 3344 (GOET [barcode] GOET010768!, GOET [barcode] GOET010769!, GOET [barcode] GOET010770!, K [barcode] K000586064!, M [barcode] M0224996!),
Radlkofer (1902) described Matayba clavelligera based on specimens from the collections of Bernouilli & Cario 3344 and H. von Tuerckheim 7979, but did not designate a type, thereby making all of the specimens found in those collections syntypes (Art. 40 of the ICN, Turland et al., 2025). Additionally, he did not mention where these specimens would be deposited. Specimens of the original material were found in the A, GH, GOET, M, NY, K, and US herbaria. We selected the specimen H. von Tuerckheim 7979 deposited in M (Barcode M-0224997) as the lectotype, as this is the repository herbarium of the collections used by Ludwig A. T. Radlkofer (Stafleu & Cowan, 1976; 1981; 1983; 1986; 1988). Furthermore, this voucher best represents the species, having both flowers and fruits.
3. Matayba domingensis (DC.) Radlk., Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Cl. Königl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. München 9: 624. 1879. ≡ Ratonia domingensis DC., Prod. 1: 618. 1824. Type: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Hispaniola, 1821, Bertero 967 (Lectotype [designated here]: G [barcode G00214422!]); isolectotype: FI [barcode FI004689!]). https://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/chg/adetail.php?id=205129&base=img⟨=en = Cupania spathulata (Griseb.) M.Gómez in Dicc. Bot. Nom. Vulg. Cub. Puerto-Riquenos: 69. 1889. ≡ Ratonia spathulata Griseb., Cat. Pl. Cub. 45. 1866. Type: CUBA. Sine loco, Sept. 1859 - Jan. 1860, Wright 1604 (Lectotype [designated here]: GOET [barcode GOET010776!]; isolectotypes: BR [barcode BR0000013230661!], NY [barcode 00084106!], YU [barcode YU.066433!]). https://plants.jstor.org/fsi/img/size3/alukaplant/goet/phase_01/goet0006/goet010776.jpg Originally cited syntypes: Wright 1151 (BR [barcode BR0000013230654!], GOET [barcode GOET010774!], GOET [barcode GOET010775!], K [barcode K000586069!], NY [barcode 1307836], NY [barcode 1307840!], and S [barcode S-R-11074!]).
Candolle (1824) described Ratonia domingensis and briefly mentioned Bertero's name and its original place of collection, “Sancto Domingo ubi ab Hispanis” (now the Dominican Republic), although without indicating any collection number or where this specimen would be deposited. Later, in his revision of the genus Matayba, Radlkofer (1879) combined R. domingensis into Matayba domingensis, as the morphological characteristics of R. domingensis demonstrated many similarities with Matayba. Radlkofer (1879) then added new information about the collectors of the material he examined, but without designating which herbaria they would be deposited in (“S. Sunday: Bertero n. 967). Radlkofer (1934) updated information regarding the collected material and indicated in his work: “In S. Domingo: Bertero n. 967 (а. 1820, fruct. submat.; Hb. Taurin., DC. etc.)”, highlighting the respective herbaria: the Herbarium Universitatis Taurinensis and the Herbarium De Candolle. After extensive research, Bertero was not found in the TO Herbarium, although Bertero was an important contributor to this collection. The specimen referring to the material deposited in the Herbarium De Candolle was found in G Herbarium, duly analyzed and identified by Radlkofer. This specimen contains handwritten notes by Radlkofer, including citations to his 1879 taxonomic review and the page on which this species was treated. As this specimen has the same information on the collection site and collector as the protologue, and has an identification label with Radlkofer's writing, we decided to formalize here the lectotypification of specimen G00214422 deposited at G Herbarium for M. domingensis.
Cupania spathulata is a heterotypic synonym of M. domingensis. It was originally described as Ratonia spathulata by Grisebach (1866) based on two collections (Wright 1151 and Wright 1604) both from Cuba. Radlkofer (1879) transferred this species to Cupania spathulata, but the Wright 1151 and Wright 1604 collections remained as syntypes (Arts. 9.6, 40.2 of the ICN, Turland et al., 2025). Radlkofer only indicated much later (1934) that both of these materials would be deposited in the “Herbarium Grisebachianum” and “Herbarium De Candolle” herbaria. After extensive research, we found specimen GOET010776 at the GOET Herbarium, that corresponds to Wright's 1604 collection. This material was the only one that brought together all of the information cited in the protologue, such as: the place of origin of the collection, date, collector, its collection number, an identification label written by Radlkofer, a diagnosis with the same morphological characteristics as cited in the original work, and a stamp from the Herbarium Grisebachianum; it was also deposited in a collection that Grisebach had a history of using. For all these reasons, we formalize here the lectotypification of specimen GOET010776, for C. spathulata.
4. Matayba floribunda Radlk. Sitzungsberichte der Mathematisch-Physikalischen Classe (Klasse) der K. B. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu München 9: 626. 1879. Type: MEXICO. Tabasco, 1840, J. J. Linden s.n (Lectotype [designated here]: G [barcode G00007841!]; isolectotype: M [barcode M-0225156!]). https://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/chg/adetail.php?id=16551&base=img⟨=en
Radlkofer (1879) described Matayba floribunda based on material collected by Linden s.n. in Mexico, Tabasco, but without information concerning the depositing herbarium. Radlkofer (1934) provided additional information about the type species, including the month and year of collection, and the phenology of the material collected by Linden s.n., as well as an indication of the collection (Hb. Paris Deless.) where this material would be deposited. After extensive consultations of international collection databases, we identified a voucher in Herbarium G that contained all of the information cited in the species' protologue, handwritten, and likely signed by Linden, including additional relevant information for its designation as the lectotype of M. floribunda. Specimen G00007841 bears an identification tag of the species written by Radlkofer. Additionally, it has a label indicating that this specimen was donated from l'Herbier Delessert (a collection cited by Radlkofer (1939) in the taxonomic review of Matayba) to the Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève. This was also a significant factor in selecting this material, as Linden used Herbarium G to deposit parts of his collections (Stafleu & Cowan, 1976, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1988). For these reasons, we formalize here the lectotypification of material G00007841.
5. Matayba glaberrima Radlk., Sitzungsberichte der Mathematisch-Physikalischen Classe (Klasse) der K. B. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu München 9(4): 628-629. 1879. Type: PANAMA. Sine loco, s.d., Duchassaing s.n. (Lectotype [designated here]: GOET [barcode GOET010782!]; isolectotypes: GOET [barcode GOET010781!], GOET [barcode GOET010783!], GOET [barcode GOET010784!], and P [barcode P02284632!]). https://plants.jstor.org/fsi/img/size3/alukaplant/goet/phase_01/goet0002/goet010782.jpg
Originally cited syntypes: Seemann 289 (K [barcode K000586117!], K [barcode K000586118!], and M [barcode M0225155!]).
Radlkofer (1879) described M. glaberrima, based on the collections of Duchassaing s.n. and Seemann 289. However, Radlkofer did not designate which of the two was the holotype in the protologue of M. glaberrima, making both samples syntypes (Art. 40 of the ICN, Turland, et al. 2025). After extensive searches, vouchers of Duchassaing s.n. were found in the GOET and P herbaria; samples of Seemann 289 were also found in the K and M herbaria. Following the analyses of all of the type materials, we designate here the specimen GOET010782 as the lectotype of M. glaberrima, because it has morphological characteristics consistent with the protologue, and bears an identification label written by Radlkofer. We consider here the collections of Seemann 289 located in the Kew herbarium (K000586117, K000586118) and the Botanische Staatssammlung München herbarium (M0225155) as remaining syntypes.
6. Matayba longipes Radlk., Sitzungsberichte der Mathematisch-Physikalischen Classe (Klasse) der K. B. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu München 9: 626. 1879. Type: VENEZUELA. Colonia Tovar, 1856, Fendler 1748 (Lectotype [designated here]: G [barcode G00007856!]; isolectotypes: BR [barcode BR0000005417643!], F [barcode V0071641F!], G [barcode G00007857!], GH [barcode GH00050824!], GOET [barcode GOET010785!], GOET [barcode GOET010786!], GOET [barcode GOET010787!], K [barcode K000586115!], MO [barcode MO-260764!], MO [barcode MO-260765!], and US [barcode US 00095341!]). https://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/chg/adetail.php?id=33142&base=img⟨=en
= Matayba tovarensis Radlk. Sitzungsberichte der Mathematisch-Physikalischen Classe (Klasse) der K. B. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu München 9: 626. 1879. Type: VENEZUELA. Anzoátegui: along Río Zumbador and tributary, near base of Piedra Blanca, northeast of Bergantin, altitude 1100-1450 meters, 1-2 March 1945, J.A. Steyermark 61333 (Neotype [designated here]: US [barcode US01204424!]; isoneotype: F [barcode F V0302381F!]).
Radlkofer (1879) described Matayba longipes based on the collection of Fendler 1748 from Tovar, Venezuela, but without information concerning the depositing herbarium. Radlkofer (1934) later added information about the month and year of the collection by Fendler, the phenology of the material collected, and an indication of where the specimen would be deposited (“Hb. DC.”). After extensive searches in international collection databases, we found a voucher in Herbarium G (G00007856) that meets all of the morphological characteristics described by Radlkofer in his original description. In addition to a blue label with the species identification and confirmation (handwritten by Radlkofer), it also has a label indicating that the specimen was donated by Augustin de Candolle’s family in 1921, and was later deposited in Herbarium G. As this specimen well represents the species described by Radlkofer (1879), it is chosen here as the lectotype.
Matayba tovarensis was described by Radlkofer (1879) as having 6-8 leaflets, leathery, lanceolate leaf blades, covered by sclerenchymatic-pachydermal cells near the lower face, and a tomentose (nectariferous) disc. Radlkofer (1879) only cited the country of collection (Venezuela), location (Tovar), and collector (Karsten 3), without providing information regarding the depositing herbarium. Radlkofer (1934) later added information concerning the phenology and that the type specimen was deposited in Herbarium B and Herbarium W (“Hb. Berol., Vindob.”). The specimen was possibly destroyed during World War II, and no other specimen’s collection of Karsten 3 have been found in other herbaria. It is therefore necessary to designate a neotype (Art. 9.8 of the ICN, Turland et al., 2025). The specimen that best represents the species described by Radlkofer (1879), with flowers and fruits, is Steyermark 61333 from Venezuela, and deposited in the US herbarium (specimen US01204424 - Fig. 1). It is designated here as the neotype.
Neotype of Matayba tovarensis Radlk. (Steyermark 61333). Image: Herbarium US, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH, USA). Image courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.
7. Matayba peruviana Radlk., Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Cl. Königl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. München 9: 627. 1879. Type: PERU. San Martin: in monte Guayrapurima, prope Tarapoto, Peruviae orientalis, August 1856, R. Spruce 4619 (Lectotype [designated here]: K [barcode K000201228]; isolectotypes: BM [barcode BM001042324], BR [barcode BR0000005415632!], F [barcode F0043041F!], G [barcode G00007887], G [barcode G00007888!], M [barcode M0225129!], and NY [barcode NY00337914!]). http://specimens.kew.org/herbarium/K000201228 = Matayba peruviana subsp. oligandra (Sandwith) Acev.-Rodr., Fl. Guianas, ser. A, Phanerog. 29(127): 46. 2012. ≡ Matayba oligandra Sandwith, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1935: 123. 1935. Type: GUYANA. Essequibo, March 1934, Forest Dept. 2354 (Lectotype [designated here]: K [barcode K000586113!]; isolectotypes: K [barcode K000586111], K [barcode K000586112!]).
http://specimens.kew.org/herbarium/K000586113
Matayba peruviana was described by Radlkofer (1879) as having leaflets 8-14, multinerved, shortly lanceolate, small (circ. 3 cm long), abaxial face pilose, marked with small transparent linear points, multifoveolate, with round bearded foci, twigs with rusty-tipped stems, fruit unknown. Radlkofer (1879) mentioned the collection of Spruce 4619, but without information concerning the depositing herbarium. Radlkofer (1934) later mentioned the collection Spruce 4619 and indicated the herbaria where this material would be deposited (“Hb. Kew., DC. etc.”), although without making any citations of this type. For this reason, we are formalizing here the lectotypification of specimen K000201228, which, after thorough analysis, was determined to match the M. peruviana protologue, presents an identification by Radlkofer, and a blue label with information about the collection site, collector, and the respective collection number, which certifies that this material is part of the type collection of M. peruviana.
Sandwith (1935) described Matayba oligandra, based on the collection Forest Dept. 2354, without mentioning the herbarium where the type would be deposited. Acevedo-Rodríguez (2012) synonymized and performed a new status combination for this species in Matayba peruviana subsp. oligandra, and mentioned that the holotype of Matayba peruviana subsp. oligandra was at the K herbarium. This statement should not, however, be considered an inadvertent lectotypification, as it was made after 1 January 2001 and lacks the phrase “designated here” or an equivalent (Art. 7.11 of the ICN, Turland et al., 2025). There are three samples from Forest Dept. 2354 with different catalogue numbers in K; we designate here the specimen K000586113 as the lectotype of M. peruviana subsp. oligandra as it best represents the species, evidencing the phyllotaxis and flowers characteristic of M. peruviana subsp. oligandra.
8. Matayba purgans (Poepp.) Radlk. Sitzungsberichte der Mathematisch-Physikalischen Classe (Klasse) der K. B. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu München 9: 536 (1879). ≡ Cupania purgans Poepp. Nova Genera ac Species Plantarum 3: 38 (1844). Type: BRAZIL. Amazonas, September 1831, E.F. Poeppig 2529 (Lectotype [designated here]: W [barcode W 0006239!]; isolectotypes: F [barcode V0071581F!], NY [barcode NY 337814!] and W [barcode W 0048981!], W [barcode W 0048982!]). https://w.jacq.org/W0006239
Poeppig (1844) described Cupania purgans as a new taxon for the genus Cupania L. This species was originally described as having: “double leaves; leaflets alternate, elliptical, obtusely acute on both sides, very entire, glabrous, smooth, shiny, rigid; petiole compressed, acute; in clusters six times shorter than the leaflets, fasciculate, spike-shaped, compound; packed with flowers; hairy petals and stamens; glabrous fruits; and lacerations in the aril of the seeds”. Radlkofer (1879) later transferred this species to the genus Matayba, renaming it M. purgans. In the works by Poeppig (1844) and Radlkofer (1879), however, the herbarium in which the type materials were deposited was not indicated, making a lectotypification necessary. After a thorough search, three specimens were found deposited in the W (the faithful depository of Poeppig), NY, and F herbaria. We designate here specimen 0006239 from the W herbarium as the lectotype, as it includes all the information from the protologue and is the only one bearing an identification label prepared by Radlkofer.
9. Matayba robusta Radlk. Sitzungsberichte der Mathematisch-Physikalischen Classe (Klasse) der K. B. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu München 9: 627. 1879. Type: BRAZIL. Sine loco, Oct. 1852 - Jan. 1853, R. Spruce 2525 (Lectotype [designated here]: K [barcode K000586082!]; isolectotypes: BR [barcode BR0000005415311!], K [barcode K000586083!], M [barcode M0225125!], and W [barcode W 0006831!]). http://specimens.kew.org/herbarium/K000586082
Radlkofer (1879) described M. robusta as a new taxon for the genus Matayba based on the collection of Spruce 2525. That author did not, however, mention in his original work the herbarium in which the type material of M. robusta was deposited. Specimens of Spruce 2525 were found in the K, BR, and M herbaria, making it necessary to designate a lectotype. We therefore designate here specimen K000586082 as the lectotype of M. robusta, as this material has morphological characteristics compatible with the protologue and is deposited at Kew - the collection used by Spruce to deposit many of his specimens (Stafleu & Cowan, 1976; 1981; 1983; 1986; 1988).
10. Matayba scrobiculata Radlk. Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Cl. Königl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. München 9: 627. 1879. Type: [COLOMBIA]. Turbasco, April 1801, Humboldt & Bonpland 1429 (Lectotype [designated here]: B [barcode B-W 07255-01 0!]; isolectotype: P [barcode P00679960!]).
Originally cited syntypes: Bertero 2155 (not found); Duchassing s.n. (not found); Fendler 2316 (K [barcode] K004640926!); Karsten s.n. (not found); Ryan & Rohr s.n. (not found); Schlim 902 (FI [barcode] FI004694!).
Kunth (1821) described Cupania scrobiculata Kunth based on the collection of Humboldt & Bonpland s.n. However, this name is considered illegitimate (nom. illeg.) because it is a later homonym of Cupania scrobiculata Rich. (1792) (Art. 53.1 ICN; Turland et al., 2025). Later, Radlkofer (1879), during his taxonomic treatment, described Matayba scrobiculata Radlk. Matayba scrobiculata was described based on seven vouchers from different localities: Ryan et Rohr s.n. (America meridionalis), Humlbodt 1429 (Turbaco; Hb. Willd. n. 7255), Bertero 2155 (S. Martha), Schlim 902 (S. Martha), Karsten s.n. (Llano del Orenoco & Sabanilla, Magdalena), Duchassing s.n. (Panama) e Fendler 2316 (Tovar). We selected Humboldt & Bonpland 1429 (B-W 07255-01 0) as the lectotype of M. scrobiculata because it precisely matches the notes cited in the protologue, as well as important handwritten notes by Radlkofer. Thus, we hereby formalize specimen B-W 07255-01 0 as the lectotype of M. scrobiculata.
11. Matayba spruceana (Hook.) Radlk. Sitzungsberichte der Mathematisch-Physikalischen Classe (Klasse) der K. B. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu München 9: 627. 1879. ≡ Cupania spruceana Hook. Hooker's Journal of Botany and Kew Garden Miscellany 3: 199. 1851. Type: BRAZIL. Pará: Santarém, July 1850, R. Spruce 971 (Lectotype [designated here]: K [barcode K000586076!]; isolectotype: K [barcode K000586077!]). http://specimens.kew.org/herbarium/K000586076
Hooker (1851) described Cupania spruceana as a new taxon of the genus Cupania L., based on a collection made by Richard Spruce in Brazil. In his revision of the genus Matayba, Radlkofer (1879) transferred the species described by Hooker to Matayba, renaming it M. spruceana. Radlkofer, however, did not designate a type for M. spruceana, mentioning only the collections of: “Spruce n. 774 a & b, n. 971”. After extensive research, specimens from the collection Spruce 971 were found at the Kew Herbarium with different registration numbers (K000586076 and K000586077); vouchers for the collections Spruce 774a (specimen M0225123) & Spruce 774b (specimen M0225122) were found in Herbarium M. We therefore designate here specimen K000586076 from herbarium K as the lectotype, has information on its label consistent with the protologue, was identified by Radlkofer, and is deposited in a collection recognized as a faithful depository of Spruce (Stafleu & Cowan, 1976, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1988).
Acknowledgments
We thank the curators of the herbaria G, GOET, K, M, P, US, and W for information, and the curator of the herbarium US for the authorization of the use of digital image; the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi (MPEG) and Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (UFRA) for their logistical support; the André Gil, Aline de Carvalho, Gessica Fernandes, Lisandra Teixeira, and Miguel Sena for their help with textual revision.
References
-
Acevedo-Rodríguez P, Van Welzen PC, Adema F, Van Der Ham RWJM. 2011. Sapindaceae. In: Kubitzki K. (ed.) The families and genera of vascular plants - flowering plants eudicots: Sapindales, Cucurbitales, Myrtaceae. Vol. 10. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg. p. 356-406. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-14397-7_17
» https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14397-7_17 - Acevedo-Rodríguez P. 2012. Flora of the Guianas: Sapindaceae. Series A: Phanerogams, Fascicle 29. Kew, The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens.
- Barbosa CVO. 2024. Revisão Taxonômica de Matayba Aubl. seções Matayba sect. Ratonia, Matayba sect. Macaca e Matayba sect. Apiomatayba (Sapindaceae). Ph.D. Thesis. Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Brazil.
- Candolle AP. 1824. Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis 1: 618.
-
Coelho RLG, Souza VC, Ferrucci MS. 2012. Matayba obovata, a new species of Matayba sect. Matayba (Sapindaceae) from Brazil. Brittonia 64: 43-48. doi: 10.1007/s12228-011-9200-6
» https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-011-9200-6 -
Coelho RLG, Souza VC, Ferrucci MS. 2014. Nota sobre Matayba livescens stat. nov. (Sapindaceae, Cupanieae) do litoral brasileiro. Rodriguésia 65: 711-715. doi: 10.1590/21757860201465310
» https://doi.org/10.1590/21757860201465310 -
Coelho RLG, Ferrucci MS, Flores TB, Souza VC. 2017. Revisão taxonômica de Matayba sect. Matayba (Sapindaceae, Cupanieae). Rodriguésia 68: 411-443. doi: 10.1590/2175-7860201768209
» https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860201768209 - Grisebach AHR. 1866. Catalogus Plantarum Cubensium. Vols. 1-4. Leipzig, Wilhelm Engelman
- Hooker WJ. 1851. Hooker's Journal of Botany and Kew Garden Miscellany 3: 199.
- Kunth KS. 1821. Nova Genera et Species Plantarum. 4th ed. Vol. 5. Paris, Librairie Grecque-Latine-Allemande.
- Macfadyen J. 1837. The Flora of Jamaica: a description of the Plants of that Island arranged according to the natural orders: With an appendix containing an enumeration of the genera according to the Linnean System, and an Essay on the geographical distribution of the species. London, Natural History Museum Library.
- Poeppig EF. 1844. Nova Genera ac Species. Plantarum 3: 38.
- Radlkofer L. 1879. Sapindaceae. Sitzungsberichte der Mathematisch-Physikalischen Classe der k. b. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu München 5: 630-637.
- Radlkofer L. 1890. Conspectus tribum Sapindacearum. Sitzungsberichte der Mathematisch-Physikalischen Classe der Königl. Bayer Akademie der Wissenschaften zu München 20: 215-2201.
- Radlkofer L. 1895. Sapindaceae. In: A. Engler, K. Prantl. Die natürlichen Pflanzenfamilien, III, vol. 5. Leipzig, Verlag von Wilhelm Engelmann. p. 277-366.
- Radlkofer L. 1902. Undescribed Plants from Guatemala and Other Central American Republics. XXIII. Botanical Gazette 33: 249-262.
- Radlkofer L. 1934. Sapindaceae In: Engler A, Diels L. (eds.) Das Pflanzenreich Regni Vegetabilis Conspectus 4: 1019-1109.
- Reitz, R. 1980. Flora Ilustrada Catarinense. Sapindáceas. Vol. 1. Itajaí, Herbário Barbosa Rodrigues.
-
Sandwith NY. 1935. Contributions to the Flora of Tropical America: XXIII. Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) 1935: 117-132. doi: 10.2307/4107111
» https://doi.org/10.2307/4107111 - Stafleu F, Cowan RS. 1976. Taxonomic Literature. A selective guide to botanical publications and collections with dates, commentaries and types. Vol. 1: A-G. Utrecht, Bohn, Scheltema and Holkema,
- Stafleu F, Cowan RS. 1981. Taxonomic Literature. A selective guide to botanical publications and collections with dates, commentaries and types. Vol. 3: Lh-O. 2nd ed. Utrecht, Bohn, Scheltema and Holkema
- Stafleu F, Cowan RS. 1983. Taxonomic Literature. A selective guide to botanical publications and collections with dates, commentaries and types. Vol. 4: P-Sak. 2nd ed. Utrecht, Bohn, Scheltema and Holkema
- Stafleu F, Cowan RS. 1986. Taxonomic Literature. A selective guide to botanical publications and collections with dates, commentaries and types. Vol. 6: Sti-Vuy. 2nd ed. Utrecht, Bohn, Scheltema & Holkema.
- Stafleu F, Cowan RS. 1988. Taxonomic Literature. A selective guide to botanical publications and collections with dates, commentaries and types. Vol. 7: W-Z. 2nd ed. Utrecht, Bohn, Scheltema & Holkema.
-
Thiers B. 2025 [Continuously updated]. Index Herbariorum: a global directory of public herbaria and associated staff. New York Botanical Garden’s Virtual Herbarium. http://sweetgum.nybg.org/ih/ 28 Sep 2025.
» http://sweetgum.nybg.org/ih/ - Turczaninow NS. 1858. Bulletin de la Société Impériale des Naturalistes de Moscou 31: 405.
-
Turland NJ, Wiersema JH, Barrie FR et al 2025. International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Madrid Code). Regnum Vegetabile. Vol. 162. Chicago and London, The University of Chicago Press. doi: 10.7208/chicago/9780226839479.001.0001
» https://doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226839479.001.0001
