On the identity and typification of Viola tenuis Bentham (Violaceae)

<i>Violatenuis</i> Benth. was first described by George Bentham in 1842, without any type specimen designated, but with a collection record by Richard Brinsley Hinds in 1841. Currently, <i>Violatenuis</i> is considered a synonym of another species according to Plants of the World Online (POWO). However, based on a combination of morphological and molecular evidence, we propose reinstating <i>Violatenuis</i> as a distinct species. Our analysis places it within Violasect.Plagiostigmasubsect.Diffusae, where it shows morphological similarities to five other species endemic to Guangdong Province, China. We designated the type of <i>V.tenuis</i> here and assigned additional KFBG specimens to the species.