Viola columnaris Skottsberg (1916: 261)

Nicola, Marcela Viviana, Salomón, Luciana & Zuloaga, Fernando Omar, 2018, Nomenclatural and taxonomic study in species of Viola (Violaceae) from Argentina, Phytotaxa 338 (2), pp. 151-176 : 156

Viola columnaris Skottsberg (1916: 261)

Type (lectotype, designated here):—[ ARGENTINA. Chubut:] Patagonia andina, sandy meseta north of Frías [or Cisnes] valley, 1000 m, 17 November 1908, C. Skottsberg 584 (S07-15250 [digital image!]).

Protologue citation:—“ Subandines und andines Patagonien: trockene Meseta nö. Vom Valle Frias c. 1000 m (Bl. 2, 17. 11. 08); Valle Frias , Abhang des Cerro Cáceres , c. 800 m (Bl. 19. 11. 08); Terr. Chubut, 44º 24’ s., 71º 22’ w., leg. J. Högberg, Herb. Holm. s.n. V. portulacea .”

Distribution:— Endemic of Argentina; known for the provinces of Chubut, Mendoza, Neuquén, and Río Negro.

Notes:—Carl Skottsberg gave a detailed diagnosis of Viola columnaris , and he mentioned three collections, two by himself and another by Johan Högberg. Of these, we selected as lectotype the specimen collected by Skottsberg which bears the barcode number S07-15250, as it is located at one of the herbaria where he deposited his type material ( Stafleu & Cowan 1985), it matches the protologue, and it possess several flowers in good condition. Additionally, this specimen was seen and identified by Wilhelm Becker, the main specialist of Viola , in 1925. The other syntype we examined was: ARGENTINA. Chubut: [Dept. Tehuelches, near Río Pico], 600 m, 28 January 1902, 44º 24’ S, 71º 22’ W, J. Högberg s.n. (S-R-11463 [digital image!], SI 003780!).

In relation with the type locality, the Frías river (or Cisnes river as alternatively known) communicates Argentina with Chile through the Río Frias-Río Cisnes international border crossing. According to the report of Skottsberg (1911) in his book “The wilds of Patagonia” it is difficult to state whether this collection was made on the Argentine or the Chilean side of the Andes since he and his fellow travelers were exploring the valleys from one side to another during various days. It is worth noting that all subsequent records of Viola columnaris were made in the provinces of Chubut, Mendoza, Neuquén, and Río Negro, in Argentina, and no new collections are known for Chile. Because of this, we define that the type locality is on the Argentine side of the Andes.