Abstract. During preparation of the account of Stellaria L. (Caryophyllaceae) for the Flora of China, Volume 6, it was noticed that two names are illegitimate later homonyms: Stellaria arenaria Maximowicz, non Linnaeus, and Stellaria pilosa Franchet, non Dulac. Therefore, the following new names (nomina nova) are provided here: Stellaria arenarioides Shi L. Chen, Rabeler & Turland and Stellaria pilosoides Shi L. Chen, Rabeler & Turland.

Key words: Caryophyllaceae, China, Stellaria.

Stellaria arenaria Maximowicz (1889) was originally described from Xizang Autonomous Region (Tibet), China. Unfortunately, the name is illegitimate under Article 53.1 of the Saint Louis Code (Greuter et al., 2000) because an earlier homonym exists: S. arenaria L. (1753). The latter name was described from Spain and is now treated as Arenaria hispanica Sprengel (see Lopez González, 1990). Maximowicz’s species will be accepted by Chen and Rabeler (in press) in their forthcoming account of Stellaria in the Flora of China, Volume 6, as occurring in Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang, and Xizang provinces and autonomous regions. Therefore a new name (nomen novum) for the Chinese species is required, and S. arenarioides Shi L. Chen, Rabeler & Turland is provided here. Stellaria arenarioides is a member of a small group of central Asian Stellaria species, often recognized as Stellaria sect. Adenonema (Bunge) Turczaninow, characterized by a densely cushion-like habit, petals shorter than sepals, 2 or 3 styles (see Kozhevnikov, 1983, for inclusion of bistylous species), many ovules, 4 or 6 capsule valves, and 1 to 2(to 8) seeds. Stellaria arenarioides is distinguished from other members of this group by having small stature (5--7 cm tall), stems that are glabrous proximally and pubescent distally, ovate to ovate-lanceolate leaves, 3 styles, and 6 capsule valves.

Stellaria pilosa Franchet (1889) was originally described from Yunnan Province, China. Unfortunately, the name is illegitimate under Article 53.1 of the Saint Louis Code (Greuter et al., 2000) because an earlier homonym exists: S. pilosa Dulac (1867). This earlier homonym is itself illegitimate under Article 52.1 because it was nomenclaturally superfluous when published, i.e., when S. media (L.) Villars was cited in the synonymy of S. pilosa Dulac, the type of Alsine media L. (1753) was definitely included (Article 52.2(e)) and its epithet ought to have been adopted. Nevertheless, Article 53 Note 1 rules that the later homonym (S. pilosa Franchet) is unavailable for use even if the earlier homonym is illegitimate. Franchet’s species will be accepted by Chen and Rabeler (in press) in their forthcoming account of Stellaria in the Flora of China, Volume 6, as endemic to Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. Therefore a new name (nomen novum) for this Chinese species is required and S. pilosoides Shi L. Chen, Rabeler & Turland is provided here. Stellaria pilosoides is probably most closely related to Stellaria petiolaris Handel-Mazzetti. The former species is distinguished from S. petiolaris by having oblong-lanceolate leaves that are pilose on both surfaces, petals slightly shorter than the sepals, and 10 stamens.

Literature Cited

Franchet, A. 1889--1890. Plantae Delavayanae. Paul Klincksieck, Paris.