[From Butieiin OF THE Torrey BoranicaL Crus, 45: 477-482. 12 D 1918.) 
Notes on plants of the southern United States—IV 
~ 
FRANCIS W. PENNELL 
THE GENUS CROTONOPSIS 
In 1803 Michaux published in his ‘Flora Boreali-Americana” 
a new genus of plants to which, from its evident likeness to Croton, 
he gave the name of Crotonopsis. The genus has been maintained 
continuously from that time, although twice have attempts been 
made to rechristen it. In 1826 Sprengel, without comment, 
Proposed to substitute Friesia, and twelve years later Rafinesque, 
remarking that ‘‘the name previously given was absurd and incor- 
rect,” announced his Leptemon. According to current rules of 
nomenclature Crotonopsis must be held. 
Michaux collected Crotonopsis twice, and, in the plate which 
accompanies the description of his species C. linearis, he fortunately 
figured both the specimens obtained. The drawing to the left 
hand shows a low plant with lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate 
leaves and with fruits few and axillary, that to the right is of a 
side-branch of a taller plant with narrower longer leaves and with 
conspicuously elongated spikes. Two localities are cited in the 
text, Long-bay, Carolina, and the Illinois region. From evidence 
to be presented it is clear that two species are illustrated, and, 
from the form of its leaves, that to the right is the one entitled 
to the name C. linearis. Fortunately it is also that from the 
locality first cited. True C. linearis Michx. is a plant restricted 
to the Coastal Plain of the southeastern states. 
{The Buttetin for November (45: 433-476, pl. 13-15) was issued November 15, 
477 
