New aliens in Malvaceae for the North African flora, with nomenclatural notes

Abstract

New alieNs iN Malvaceae for the North africaN flora, with NoMeNclatural Notes.- As part of ongoing studies on Tunisian Malvaceae, populations of two Hibiscus species (H. rosa-sinensis and H. syriacus) and Lagunaria patersonia were discovered in northern Tunisia, representing first records for the national and North African flora. Morphological characters, as well as ecological and chorological data are given. Nomenclatural notes about the names H. acerifolius (= H. syriacus), H. chinensis (= H. syriacus), H. patersonius (basionym of L. patersonia), and H. rhombifolius (= H. syriacus) are provided, i.e. indication of the holotype for Hibiscus chinensis (van Braam Houckgeest's illustration), and designation of lectotypes for H. acerifolius (a Salisbury's illustration), H. rhombifolius (Cavanilles's illustration), and H. patersonius (Andrew's illustration). Further illegitimate and invalid names (Althaea frutex, H. floridus, Ketmia syrorum, K. arborea, and K. arborescens) are also treated.