Desmitus Raf., Sylva Tellur. 139. (1838)

Zhao, Dongwei, 2022, Nomenclatural notes and typification of three synonyms of Camellia (Theaceae), PhytoKeys 193, pp. 1-8 : 1

2. Desmitus Raf., Sylva Tellur. 139. (1838)

Type.

Desmitus reticulata (Lindl.) Raf. ≡ Camellia reticulata Lindl., Bot. Reg. 13: t. 1078 (1827).

Lectotype

(designated here): Lindl., Bot. Reg. 13: t. 1078 (1827).

Nomenclatural notes.

Rafinesque (1838) established the monotypic genus Desmitus for D. reticulata . This was a new combination based on C. reticulata because he referenced the basionym by the words "Camel. do bot. reg. 1978...". However, the taxon number cited by Rafinesque (1838: 140) is incorrect, but should be recognized as a correctable typographical error of “1078” and so does not prohibit the valid publication of the new combination (Art. 41.3 of the ICN). Nevertheless, Lindley (1827: t. 1078) described C. reticulata based on the living plants that bore semidouble flowers and introduced from China. No specimen was cited in the protologue of C. reticulata . The coloured drawing, t. 1078, was accompanied by the protologue and therefore designated as the lectotype of C. reticulata . Accordingly, the drawing serves as the type of Desmitus (Art. 10.1 of the ICN).