Taxonomic studies on Malagasy Dalbergia (Fabaceae). II. A new name for D. mollis and the reinstatement of D. chermezonii

Abstract Wilding, N., P.B. Phillipson & S. Crameri (2021). Taxonomic studies on Malagasy Dalbergia (Fabaceae). II. A new name for D. mollis and the reinstatement of D. chermezonii. Candollea 76: 251–257. In English, English and French abstracts. The two varieties of Dalbergia mollis Bosser & R. Rabev., recognised by Bosser & Rabevohitra, have been recently shown on the basis of molecular data to be distinct at species level. This distinction is supported by a number of clear differences in the morphology of the two species that we discuss here in detail. Nomenclatural problems have beset these taxa: the name Dalbergia mollis was established by Bosser and Rabevohitra as a replacement for the later homonym Dalbergia stenocarpa R. Vig., however, the name was superfluous because the name Dalbergia chermezonii R. Vig. was available for this species as circumscribed in Bosser and Rabevohitra's article, but was treated by the authors incorrectly, as a synonym of one of the varieties. We re-establish Dalbergia chermezonii, provide the new name, Dalbergia bemarivensis Phillipson & N. Wilding, as a replacement for Dalbergia stenocarpa R. Vig. and propose an amended description of both species. While the former species occurs only in the southern half of the country, the latter occurs only in the north-west. Both species can become large trees and are known to be a source of valuable rosewood. First published online: July 7, 2021