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Research Project: Genetic Resources Acquisition, Conservation, International Exchange, and Taxonomic Expertise in Support of the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System

Location: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory

Title: Proposal to conserve the name Cyrtanthus spiralis (Amaryllidaceae) with a conserved type

Author
item SMITH, GIEDON - Nelson Mandela University
item Schori, Melanie

Submitted to: Taxon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/27/2025
Publication Date: 8/1/2025
Citation: Smith, G.F., Schori, M. 2025. Proposal to conserve the name Cyrtanthus spiralis (Amaryllidaceae) with a conserved type. Taxon. https://doi.org/10.1002/tax.70006.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/tax.70006

Interpretive Summary: Cyrtanthus spiralis belongs to a group of popular ornamental bulbs used as bedding plants in mild climates. This species is native to South Africa and is endangered within the wild. Some members of Cyrtanthus produce flowers and leaves at separate times. When this species was first named and illustrated, another plant was listed as a synonym because of a mixed illustration that included the leaves of one species and the flowers of another. Under the rules that govern scientific names of plants, that makes Cyrtanthus spiralis illegitimate, though no one noticed this problem in more than 200 years. A thorough study of books and journals dealing with Cyrtanthus revealed that in 1939, a specimen of this plant was listed as the type of the species, but there are various problems with the specimen. After examining digitized photos of specimens at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, we have selected a specimen and an illustration from 1817 to represent the species. We also request that the name Cyrtanthus spiralis be given the status of conserved so that it is no longer illegitimate and can continue to be used as it has for more than 200 years.

Technical Abstract: Cyrtanthus spiralis Ker Gawl. has been used for more than 200 years for an endemic, endangered and Red Listed species native to South Africa. However, the name is illegitimate because Ker Gawler cited C. ventricosus Willd. in synonymy, presumably because Willdenow had identified the leaves of C. angustifolius sensu Jacq. as belonging to C. ventricosus, with the inflorescence belonging to (the yet unnamed) C. spiralis. No other names are available for C. spiralis, so we propose conservation to preserve usage of the name. A specimen at K, collected by Burchell from his garden, is designated as lectotype following an ineffective designation by Reid & Davy in 1939, since the specimen is part of a mixed gathering. Only leaves are available as the type, and since other species of Cyrtanthus have spiral leaves, we designate Ker Gawler's plate (inflorescence only) as an epitype. If the proposal is not approved, a new name will be required for C. spiralis, which would not support nomenclatural stability.