J Syst Evol ›› 2008, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (2): 230-235.DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1002.2008.07115

• Research Articles • Previous Articles    

Taxonomic history and identity of Musa dasycarpa, M. velutina and M. assamica (Musaceae) in Southeast Asia

Markku HAKKINEN1,2;HENRY VARE3   

  1. 1(Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China)

    2(Botanic Garden, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 4
    4 (Jyrängöntie 2), FI-00014, Finland)

    3(Finnish Museum of Natural History, Botanical Museum, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box
    7 (Unioninkatu 44), FI-00014, Finland)markku.hakkinen@kymp.net
  • Received:2007-08-30 Published:2008-03-18

Abstract: Since the initial description, the name Musa dasycarpa Kurz (1867) has been unclear to most botanists. It has usually been synonymized with M. velutina H. Wendl. & Drude (1875). However, although the original diagnosis was very short, “fruits hairy”, it is adequate. Thus, according to Vienna Codes, M. dasycarpa Kurz has priority over M. velutina H. Wendl. & Drude. The aim of this study is to settle the true identity and to update the description of M. dasycarpa Kurz. For that purpose the names M. dasycarpa and M. velutina are typified. In addi-tion, critical notes regarding M. assamica Bull. are given; it is neotypified here, and considered as conspecific with M. sanguinea Hook. f.

Key words: Musa, Musa assamica, Musa dasycarpa, Musa velutina, Musaceae, Rhodochlamys, Southeast Asia, wild banana