If these aren’t genuine species, what are? An analysis of heterotypic synonyms contributes to 19 new names and 20 new combinations in Magnolia (Magnoliaceae). Part 2: New combinations

Abstract

In 2026, it is almost universally recognised that the family Magnoliaceae includes two subfamilies, Liriodendroideae and Magnolioideae, each subfamily consisting of one genus, Liriodendron L., and Magnolia L., respectively. In recognition of this, the authors in the first part of this research monograph reinstated 19 taxa from unsubstantiated synonymy and then transferred these taxa to Magnolia with proposed new replacement names, in accordance with Article 53.1 of the current 2024 ICN Madrid Code.

These new names were required because their transferal to Magnolia without a change of name would otherwise have created a later illegitimate homonym to an existing validly published name of a living or fossil taxon. In this second part of the research monograph, a further 20 taxa from the former segregate genera of Manglietia and Michelia are reinstated, where necessary, from misconceived synonymy and transferred to Magnolia as new combinations.

Subsequent to their valid naming and description as new species or varieties, the majority of these taxa, most of which were discovered in the last decades of the twentieth century due to their small natural populations and distributions, have been reduced as unsubstantiated heterotypic synonyms under previously named, closely related taxa of generally wide-spread occurrence. Unfortunately, this synonymising has often been by a few influential, but unfortunately misguided and ill-informed botanical researchers, with evidently dire consequences for the survival of numerous of these genuine species and varieties in their native habitats.

Frequently these later-named taxa were synonymised under those that their original naming author (s), in compliance with the requirements for naming new taxa specified in the then current International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN), had taken into consideration in their comparative diagnosis which accompanied the formal published description of their new species or variety. These taxa are now restored because, based on extensive comparative data compiled by the present authors, it has been determined that they are the unique independent species or varieties as they were originally named and described by their respective authors.

These new combinations in Magnolia are in respect of the following predominately occurring eastern and south-eastern Asian taxa: Manglietia tenuipes, Michelia balansae var. appressipubescens, M. brevipes, M. chingii, M. chongjiangensis, M. floribunda var. lanea, M. fulgens, M. glaberrima, M. hedyosperma, M. kerrii, M. linyaoensis, M. longistamina, M. polyneura and M. wardii. Also, since most Chinese Magnoliaceae authorities continue to recognise Manglietia calcarea, M. forrestii and M. hainanensis as authentic species and not as varieties of Manglietia fordiana, plus Michelia calcicola and M. skinneriana as genuine independent species and not as varieties of M. fulva and M. figo respectively, each of these five taxa are reinstated and transferred to Magnolia.

Finally, as a result of its distinctive features, Michelia macclurei var. sublanea has been elevated to species status and transferred to Magnolia as M. sublanea. As in the first part of this research monograph, some notes and recommendations on the in situ and ex situ conservation of each of the above taxa are presented. It has again been determined that many of these taxa have never been evaluated in their native habitats, because in past decades they have been reduced to unsubstantiated synonyms, resulting in them being frequently hidden under the names of more common and widely distributed species.

From the present research over many years, it is evident that a number of these reductions have adversely impacted the survival prospects of numerous threatened and endangered Magnolia taxa, since they have no longer been reported from their previously recorded localities or elsewhere in the wild, at least under their original names, in decades.