Sabdariffa scabricaulis (Helwig) M.M.Hanes & R.L.Barrett, 2025

Sabdariffa scabricaulis (Helwig) M.M.Hanes & R.L.Barrett View in CoL , comb. nov., stat. nov.

Hibiscus furcellatus var. scabricaulis Helwig in Urban, Ark . Bot . 22A(17): 28 (1929). Type: Haiti: Civ. Haiti: Massif de la Hotte, western group ,

Dame-Marie, Etang-Dérémond, 1 Aug. 1928, E. L.Ekman 10467 (lecto, here designated: S 12-11539 ; isolecto: K 000535447 ; S -R-11260) .

Descriptions and illustrations

Helwig (in Urban 1929, p. 28).

Typification

We here designate S 12-11539 as the lectotype of Hibiscus furcellatus var. scabricaulis as there is slightly more fertile material on the sheet .

Notes

Hibiscus furcellatus var. scabricaulis View in CoL was accepted by Acevedo-Rodríguez and Strong (2012) based on a passing reference in Liogier (1981, p. 93) but the variety was only noted to have been described, not accepted. This variety is sometimes placed as a synonym of S. maculata Lam. However View in CoL , the stem bristles in S. maculata View in CoL have prominently swollen bases and the bristles are usually recurved (bases not or scarcely swollen and bristles straight in H. furcellatus var. scabricualis ). Confusion may have arisen as there is a collection of S. maculata View in CoL by Ekman (P 04698652) from the type location of S. scabricaulis View in CoL and the assumption may have been made that there would be only one species at this location. The general indumentum and leaf shape in S. scabricaulis View in CoL are more similar to those in S. costata View in CoL , though do not appear to directly match that taxon either. Occasionally misspelt in the literature as ‘ scabriusculis ’.

We have been unable to match the type to any described species and hence choose to recognise this as a distinct taxon at specific rank. This species differs from S. furcellata View in CoL in stem and calyx indumentum (short stellate hairs with large aculei) and the epicalyx lobes only very slightly bifurcating (commonly appearing simple), similar to S. maculata View in CoL .

Distribution

Massif de la Hotte, Haiti.