Abstract
Based on extensive field observations, population sampling, examination of a large number of specimens, and subsequent statistical analysis, we found that the characters used previously to distinguish between Pourthiaea blinii and P. podocarpifolia (Rosaceae), i.e. the density of indumentum on the lower surface of leaf blade and inflorescences, are extremely various within a population and continuous in variation, and show no character correlation. These characters are therefore of little value for delimiting these two species. Here we reduce P. podocarpifolia to the synonymy of P. blinii. Lectotypification is made for both Cotoneaster blinii (basionym of Pourthiaea blinii) and Photinia podocarpifolia (basionym of Pourthiaea podocarpifolia).