Notes on the typification, origin, and fertility of Cyrtosperma johnstonii (Araceae—Lasioideae)

 

A. Hay

 

ABSTRACT

The long-cultivated ornamental aroid Cyrtosperma johnstonii (W.Bull ex Mast.) N.E.Br., whose basionym was validly published earlier than hitherto thought, is neotypified. The first wild-collected specimens of this species, gathered in 2013 from the New Georgia island group in Western Province, Solomon Islands, are discussed. Though speculated amongst horticultural collectors possibly to be sterile because of the apparent complete absence of seed-set in cultivation, this plant is illustrated bearing fruit in Singapore Botanic Gardens and in Queensland, Australia.

 

KEYWORDS

Lasieae, neotype, William Bull, Solomon Islands, Vella Lavella, Vangunu, infructescence