A nomenclatural review of Acalypha (Euphorbiaceae) of mainland Africa

Abstract

This paper presents a critical nomenclatural review of Acalypha species of continental Africa and the islands of Cape Verde, Saint Helena, and São Tomé and Príncipe. It is based mainly on the study of type specimens and is the first step towards a comprehensive taxonomic monograph of the genus in Africa. In total, 275 names and designations related to Acalypha from continental Africa were compiled, and 70 native species are accepted. Lectotypes for 83 names are designated, and a new combination is proposed. Acalypha haplostyla, previously considered a synonym of A. petiolaris, is here treated as an accepted species. A further five names are proposed as synonyms for the first time. The country-level geographical distribution of each species is indicated. Introduced, uncertain, and excluded species are treated in separate sections. A comprehensive index to all published names, cross-referenced to the currently accepted names, is also provided.