Interpretation and typification of Cactus ficus-indica L. and Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller (Cactaceae)

The taxonomic history of the controversial names Cactus ficus-indica and Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae) is discussed. An analysis of the changing interpretation of these names demonstrates the necessity of formal typification in order to achieve nomenclatural stability. A specimen in the Linnaean...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Taxon 1991-11, Vol.40 (4), p.621-627
Main Author: Leuenberger, B.E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Botanical gardens
Cactus
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Herbaria
Lectotypes
Neotypes
Nomenclature
Opuntia ficus-indica
Plant cytology, morphology, systematics, chorology and evolution
Plant names
Plants
Spermatophyta
Synonyms
Systematics (diagnosis, chromosome numbers)
Taxa
taxonomy
terminology
Typification
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Summary:The taxonomic history of the controversial names Cactus ficus-indica and Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae) is discussed. An analysis of the changing interpretation of these names demonstrates the necessity of formal typification in order to achieve nomenclatural stability. A specimen in the Linnaean herbarium at Stockholm is designated as the neotype of C. ficus-indica. By interpreting this name as the basionym of O. ficus-indica, the long-established name of the commercially most important cactus species can be saved.
ISSN:0040-0262
1996-8175
DOI:10.2307/1222775