Phytologia (Aug 2004) 86(2) 67 



in part, 1933; Fernald, 1950; Gleason, 1952; Gleason and Cronquist, 

 1963; Wilbur, 1963; Wilbur in Radford et al., 1964; Clewell, 1985; 

 Isely, 1990; Wunderlin, 1998). In each case, by reference to the actual 

 specimens underlying the pre-Linnaean publications referred to by 

 Linnaeus, Duncan argued these specimens and other materials available 

 to Linnaeus supported this new assessment. Duncan stands nearly alone 

 in this interpretation; it is disappointing that subsequent authors have 

 neither followed Duncan nor chosen to examine or attempt refutation of 

 the factual basis for his nomenclatural judgments. 



The present authors felt obligated to independently assess the basis 

 for these names. The argument, as reported by Duncan, was perhaps too 

 briefly stated. The basionym of Galactia regularis is Dolichos regularis 

 L. (1 753:726). Linnaeus had no specimen directly supporting this name, 

 but gave it the diagnosis: DOLICHOS foliis ovatis obtusis, pedunculis 

 multifloris, petalis aequalis magnitudinis figuraeque, and referred to 

 Gronovius (1 739:82). Linnaeus had taken that language from the phrase- 

 name of Gronovius (who further noted it to be racemosis). Gronovius 

 also had cited Clayt. n. 121. John Clayton's specimen (photo, BM) bears 

 the text, "A trifoliated slender twining plant with small reddish flowers, 

 growing in spikes from the wings [stipules?] of the leaves. Dr. Clayton 

 ex Virginia num. 121." Clayton's specimen corresponds to the plant here 

 (and by Duncan) called G. regularis; the "small" flowers are definitive. 

 It thus seems inescapable that Galactia regularis (L.) BSP. is based on 

 the small-flowered plant. 



[Aside from the specimens themselves, the text accompanying a 

 second Clayton specimen, his 213 (photo, BM), confirms that Clayton 

 recognized both a small-flowered and a large-flowered species. On this 

 second sheet Clayton had written, "A slender twining trifoliated plant 

 with a large purple papilionaceus flower, and a thin compressed pod. 

 This grows in shady woods, an[d] flowers in July. Dr. Clayton ex Virg. 

 n. 213." This second specimen corresponds to the plant here (and by 

 Duncan) called G volubilis.] 



