ARS | Publication request: Proposal to conserve Glycyrrhiza inflata against G. paucifoliolata (Leguminosae)

Submitted to: Taxon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 15, 2012
Publication Date: April 13, 2012
Citation: Lei, M., Xiang-Yun, Z., Kirkbride, J.H. 2012. Proposal to conserve Glycyrrhiza inflata against G. paucifoliolata (Leguminosae). Taxon. 61(2):471.

Interpretive Summary: Chinese licorice is a famous medicinal plant widely used in Chinese herbal medicine. In addition to the wide international sale and distribution of its roots, it is the subject of extensive herbal, pharmacological, and chemical research. For the past 110 years, its scientific name has been Glycyrrhiza inflata, but recently a slightly earlier scientific name for Chinese licorice was found that is nine years older. Therefore it is proposed to conserve the scientific name G. inflata against G. paucifoliolata so that we can continue to use the scientific name G. inflata for Chinese licorice.

Technical Abstract: The taxonomic history and medicinal importance of Glycyrrhiza inflata are discussed. It has been used in scientific and non scientific literature for 110 years. It was recently discovered that it is synonymous with G. paucifoliolata, which was published nine years earlier, and was unknown in the literature until six years ago. To retain the use of the scientific name of an international, important medicinal plant, it is proposed to conserve G. inflata against G. paucifoliolata. This scientific name will be used by all those who communicate about this important medicinal plant.