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Issue: Vol. 769 No. 2: 11 Aug. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-08-11
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.769.2.7
Page range: 183-192
Abstract views: 43
PDF downloaded: 3

Taxonomy and nomenclature of two morphologically similar species: Salix hypoleuca & S. biondiana

School of Ecology and Nature Conservation; Beijing Forestry University; Beijing 100083; China
School of Ecology and Nature Conservation; Beijing Forestry University; Beijing 100083; China
Nature Conservation Management Center of Changbai Mountain; Erdao Baihe Town 133613; China
Shenyang Institute of Applied Ecology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenyang 110016; China
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Mengla County 666303; China
Natural History Museum; Botanical Collections; University of Florence; Firenze 50121; Italia
Eudicots China identification lectotypification misapplication morphology new synonym Qinling Mountains type heterogeneous willows

Abstract

The morphological similarity between Salix hypoleuca and S. biondiana, coupled with their extensively overlapping distribution ranges, has long caused difficulties in identification and taxonomic confusion. Through detailed examination of type specimens, general herbarium materials, and field investigations, this study identifies key diagnostic characters that distinguish the two species. For the first time, we reveal the heterogeneity of the type material of S. biondiana, and treat S. hypoleuca var. kansuensis and S. pseudotangii as synonyms of S. biondiana, with lectotypes designated for S. biondiana and S. hypoleuca var. kansuensis. In addition, S. hypoleuca var. platyphylla, S. tangii, and S. rhoophila are reduced to synonyms of S. hypoleuca. Furthermore, detailed morphological descriptions and high-resolution plates are provided for both species to facilitate accurate identification.

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How to Cite

Zhan, Z., Shang, C., Xu, M., Zhang, Y., Luo, Y. & Natale, S.D. (2026) Taxonomy and nomenclature of two morphologically similar species: Salix hypoleuca & S. biondiana. Phytotaxa 769 (2): 183–192. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.769.2.7