Apocynaceae (original) (raw)

Abstract

Notes on African plants VARIOUS AUTHORS APOCYNACEAE CATHARANTHUS AND VINCA IN SOUTHERN AFRICA A good deal of confusion regarding the correct name of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don has existed in the past. This pantropical weed has been commonly, but incorrectly, referred to as Vinca rosea L. But, as Lawrence (1959), Farnsworth (1961) and Steam (1973, 1975) have convincingly established that Vinca and Catharanthus are distinct genera, differing in 34 morphological characters, cytology, chemistry and geographical distribution, there should be no further confusion. Vinca, with six species, is native to Europe, western and central Asia and has become naturalized in North America, whereas Catharanthus, with eight species, occurs in Madagascar, with one of the species in India. One of its members C. roseus has become a pantropical weed. The genus Vinca was established by Linnaeus in 1753 when he described two species V. minor and V. major. In 1759 he added V. rosea (now the accepted lectotype of Catharanthus). This species was separated by Reichenbach (1828) as the genus Lochnera. This name remained a nomen nudum until Endlicher provided a description in his Genera Plantarum 583 no. 3406 (1838). The name is illegitimate, however, as it is a later homonym of Lochneria Scop. (1777) and a synonym of Catharan thus G. Don (1837). The correct citation for the Madagascan periwinkle is therefore as follows:

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