Les frères Soleirol, histoire séculaire d'une confusion autour d'un collecteur en Corse

Abstract

Abstract Bungener, P. & D. Jeanmonod (2019). The Brothers Soleirol, a centuries-long history of a confusion on a collector in Corsica. Candollea 74: 209–216. In French, English & French abstracts. Soleirol is a famous botanical collector well known for his plant collections in Corsica in the 1820's. Many scientific names of taxa have been dedicated to him. Although his herbarium specimens and letters have been signed by his surname alone and without his first name, the botanical tradition has given him the surname of Joseph-François (1781–1863). Our investigation shows that this botanist is in fact Henri-Augustin (1792–1860), the younger brother of Joseph-François. That conclusion is drawn on the analysis of his herbarium specimens, botanical literature, correspondence and biographical accounts. The Brothers Soleirol have followed a similar career in the French Army and had the same interests for art and botany. These similar ways of life have subsequently caused the confusion of their surnames. Our research shows that Henry-Augustin was the only one who collected plants in Corsica between 1820 and 1823 and visited about sixty localities from Cap Corse to Bonifacio through the large mountain ranges. As an important plant collector for Corsica, Soleirol has collected more than 5000 specimens that he has distributed or exchanged with other botanists. This paper highlights the activity of an amateur botanist at the beginning of the XIXth century. It honors Henry Augustin for his work after more than one century of confusion with his brother.