ARS | Publication request: (1) Request for a Binding Decision on Whether Ferdinanda (Compositae) and Ferdinandea (Rubiaceae) Are Sufficiently Alike to Be Confused

Submitted to: Taxon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: May 1, 2012
Publication Date: May 13, 2012
Citation: Kirkbride, J.H., Wiersema, J.H., Delprete, P.G. 2012. (1) Request for a binding decision on whether Ferdinanda (Compositae) and Ferdinandea (Rubiaceae) are sufficiently alike to be confused. Taxon. 61(2):479.

Interpretive Summary: Ferdinand’s madder is an attractive, widespread shrub in tropical America, a member of the coffee family, and is sometimes cultivated for its bright showy flowers. Its name has been confused with that of Ferdinand’s aster. By officially establishing that the scientific names of Ferdinand’s madder and Ferdinand’s aster are likely to be confused, the correct scientific name for Ferdinand’s madder can be established and used in tropical American floras.

Technical Abstract: The genus Ferdinandusa is an attractive, widespread shrub in tropical America, a member of the family Rubiaceae, and is sometimes cultivated for its bright showy flowers. It is a later name for the genus Ferdinandea, which has been confused with the genus Ferdinanda. By officially establishing that Ferdinanda and Ferdinandea are names likely to be confused, Ferdinandusa can continue to be used in tropical American floras.