J. Perkins: Notes. 37 



Notes ou the synonymy of Symplocos polyandra 



by 

 J. Perkins. 



The synonymy of this species being somewhat complicated, 

 it seems desirable to say a few words in regard to it. Blanco 

 in ed. II, p. 500 of the Flora de Filipinas describes Guettarda 

 polyandra. In ed. Ill, vol. 4, p. 127, nov. append, of this same 

 work, we find Guettarda polyandra recorded as a synonym of the 

 Indian species Symplocos racemosa Roxb. Vidal in the Revision 

 describes three new species: -S'. Villarii, S. pseiidospicata and 

 S. montana. The last is of no importance to us, as it belongs 

 in another group of the genus. As a doubtful synonym of 

 S. Villarii^ Guettarda polyandra Blanco is cited. The original 

 of Blanco not existing, it is apparent that Yidal was not quite 

 clear if Guettarda polyandra really belonged to Symplocos. 

 S. pseiidospicata Yidal was based on a plant of which Yidal, 

 in his Sinopsis, on plate 64, has given a drawing, under the 

 name S. spicata Roxb. Brand unites the species of Yidal in a 

 single species and selects as the name for it, Symplocos poly- 

 andra. He too expresses a doubt of the identity of Guettarda 

 polyandra Blanco, with the Symplocos species under conside- 

 ration. Had it not been better perhaps, in this case, to have 

 retained one of the two names of Yidal for this species? in fact, 

 the name Villarii? As Brand himself says that Blanco's de- 

 scription does not apply to his specimen, it were better if 

 Blanco's name had been set aside as a doubtful synonym. 

 Guettarda is a well known genus of the Eiibiaceae, and numerous 

 stamens "Estam. pasan de veinte", stamens exceeding 10, never 

 occur in the Bubiaceae. The question arises, to what family 

 does Guettarda polycmdra belong? 



