Parkia timoriana (Leguminosae), its synonyms and their types, and the identity of Gleditsia javanica

Hopkins, H.C.F. & J. Wajer (2025). Parkia timoriana (Leguminosae), its synonyms and their types, and the identity of Gleditsia javanica. Candollea 80: 33–52. In English, English abstract. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15553/c2025v801a4 Parkia timoriana (DC.) Merr. (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae, Mimoseae), a large forest tree distributed from north-east India to north-west New Guinea, has had two other names commonly applied to it at different times: P. roxburghii G. Don, based on a type from north-east India, and P. javanica (Lam.) Merr., with a type originating from Java. In addition, it has sometimes been referred to by names that belong to an African species in this genus, P. biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. ex G. Don (syn. P. africana R. Br.), which is clearly distinct. The history of name changes and confusion with the African and two other Asian species are outlined. We reiterate the doubts previously expressed by Nielsen and others about the identity of an illustration of seeds and a small, sterile plant in a pre-Linnaean work by Commelin, which is the lectotype of Gleditsia javanica Lam., the basionym of Parkia javanica. This drawing does not accurately represent the morphology of P. timoriana when compared with specimens of seedlings of verified identity, although the local name given by Commelin, “kaduwang”, does refer to this species. Several additional taxonomic names that have not been widely used also apply to P. timoriana; among them, Mimosa peregrina sensu Blanco, non L., is a misapplied name. A sheet at L is identified here as the type of Parkia grandis Hassk., and P. calcarata Gagnep. is transferred to the synonymy of P. speciosa Hassk. and a lectotype is designated. Submitted on November 25, 2024 – Accepted on January 31, 2025 – First published online on March 12, 2025