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Type: Article
Published: 2026-06-09
Page range: 295-300
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Clarification of the lectotypification and some leaf characters of Pyrostria hystrix (Rubiaceae)

National Herbarium; Pretoria; South African National Biodiversity Institute; 2 Cussonia Avenue; Brummeria; Pretoria 0184; South Africa; Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management; North-West University; Private Bag X6001; Potchefstroom 2520; South Africa
National Herbarium; Pretoria; South African National Biodiversity Institute; 2 Cussonia Avenue; Brummeria; Pretoria 0184; South Africa
Dinocanthium domatia lectotypification Rubiaceae type Eudicots

Abstract

This contribution aims to clarify the correct typification of Pyrostria hystrix, showing that the accepted type is a lectotype rather than a holotype. A second-step lectotype is designated here to limit the typification to a single specimen. A further aim is to confirm the presence of domatia on the leaves of Pyrostria hystrix. Careful observation of the leaf morphology of numerous herbarium specimens, while revisiting the original Latin description of the leaves in the protologue, demonstrates that domatia are clearly present in this species, contrary to statements in later literature that explicitly report domatia as being absent. This highlights an important and diagnostic morphological character for the species that have been overlooked for decades.

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How to Cite

Bester, S.P. & Steyn, H.M. (2026) Clarification of the lectotypification and some leaf characters of Pyrostria hystrix (Rubiaceae). Phytotaxa 760 (3): 295–300. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.760.3.9