Commersonia corniculata (Malvaceae), a new name for C. cygnorum

Abstract

Commersonia corniculata (Malvaceae), a new name for C. cygnorumThe application of the name Lasiopetalum corniculatum Sm. (Malvaceae) has hitherto been uncertain (CHAH 2012). Upon describing this species, Smith (1812) provided the common name 'Horned Woolly-blossom' in reference to the petals having 'linear points as long as the calyx'; however, species of Lasiopetalum Sm. have only small, scale-like petals, or lack petals altogether. He based his description on material collected by Archibald Menzies from 'King George's Sound', a specimen of which is held in the Smith Herbarium at the Linnean Society of London. Examination of an image of this specimen (LINN-HS 403.5: http://linnean-online.org/31802/) has revealed that it is referable to the later-named Commersonia cygnorum Endl. (Steudel 1845).