Typifications of the N.L. Burman and Linnaean names in Polygala, Polygalaceae

Abstract

The historical context and typifications of a number of not yet typified Linnaean names in Polygala (P. acutifolia, P. aspalatha, P. brasiliensis, P. chamaebuxus, P. microphylla, P. penaea, P. sibirica, P. theezans) are presented, along with the identities of P. acutifolia and P. theezans. Bartolomeo di Panigai, a cartographer in the Portuguese boundary commission sent on an expedition to establish borders between Portugal and Spain in accordance with the Treaty of Madrid (signed in 1750), is suggested as the likely collector of P. aspalatha and P. brasiliensis. Three of N.L. Burman's names (P. pinnata, P. thea, P. triphylla) are revised, and two new combinations, Indigofera pinnata and Wiborgia triphylla, the legume species originally described by N.L. Burman in genus Polygala, are presented.