Lappula monocarpa, a new synonym of Lappula tenuis (Boraginaceae)

By

Liu, Danhui

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-7-4

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

259

Pages

229--237

Subjects

Boraginaceae , Lappula , Morphology , new synonym

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.259.157867

 

Abstract

Lappula monocarpa is currently the sole described species within the genus Lappula characterized by the development of a single nutlet per fruit. However, since its initial publication, no additional specimens of L. monocarpa have been collected. Critical examination of type specimens, combined with field surveys and newly collected material, reveals that the diagnostic trait of L. monocarpa—the presence of a single nutlet per fruit—is not consistently observed and likely represents an aberrant specimen. Moreover, all other morphological characteristics of L. monocarpa, including indumentum, corolla, and nutlet features, align fully with those of L. tenuis. Based on this evidence, L. monocarpa is herein reduced to a synonym of L. tenuis.