Corylus potaninii Bobrov, 1936

Holstein, Norbert, Tamer, Sarah el & Weigend, Maximilian, 2018, The nutty world of hazel names - a critical taxonomic checklist of the genus Corylus (Betulaceae), European Journal of Taxonomy 409, pp. 1-45 : 28

13. Corylus potaninii Bobrov

Sovietskaia Botanica 1936 (1): 29, fig. 3 ( Bobrov 1936b). – Original citation: “Hab. China, prov. Sutchuen, Ta-chien-lu, s. Datzzien-lu, tibetice Tarsando, 26 VI 1893; 1 VII 1893 (typus) G.N. Potanin legit; ut videtur in prov. Hupeh, Yunnan et Kweichow crescit.” – Type: not localized. – Note: it is unclear from the protologue whether C. potaninii is intended as a new species or a nom. nov. On the one hand, Bobrov cited C. heterophylla var. sutchuensis and C. heterophylla var. crista-galli just after the new name in the protologue. However, he did not formally synonymize or accept these names anywhere else, so they might be regarded as synonyms of his new name. However, Bobrov expressedly distinguished his new species from these varieties later-on. Therefore, C. potaninii is best considered as intended as a new species. Corylus potaninii is supposed to be similar to C. heterophylla var. sutchuensis , but differing in rounded leaves and densely pubescent lower leaf laminae and young twigs. Bobrov also mentioned similarities to C. heterophylla var. crista-galli most likely referring to the long-stalked glandular trichomes. Long-stalked glandular trichomes are also found on an isolectotype specimen of C. heterophylla var. yunnanensis (P06810939), therefore either the type material is mixed or taxon delimitation is obscure. Corylus potaninii was recognized by World Checklist and Bibliography of Fagales ( Govaerts & Frodin 1998) , but not even mentioned in the Flora of China ( Li & Skvortsov 1999) or in the Flora Sichuanica (Editorial Board of the Flora Sichuanica 2012).