A reappraisal of the proposal to reject the name <i>Bignonia coccinea</i> (Bignoniaceae)

Abstract The recent proposal to reject the name Bignonia coccinea is here discussed in detail, and further arguments that support the proposal are presented. The authors of the binomial Dolichandra coccinea (Vell.) M.Nascim., Zuntini &amp; J.F.B.Pastore misidentified the individual as a member of the genus Dolichandra , and proposed the rejection of this name. Here, I built a morphological matrix and compared the character states depicted in the Florae Fluminensis illustration with states observed in species of Dolichandra occurring in the Rio de Janeiro State and surroundings. The most similar species of Dolichandra recovered are D. chodatii , D. hispida , D. unguiculata , and D. unguis‐cati , with three character states shared with the specimen illustrated. Bignonia coccinea and Dolichandra cynanchoides shared only two character states. The fundamental niche of the species was also evaluated and a low probability of occurrence in the municipality of Cunha and surroundings (state of São Paulo, Brazil) was obtained for D. cynanchoides , where Friar Vellozo supposedly collected. Despite the low but possible suitability for the occurrence, no individuals have yet been collected in the Atlantic Forest as whole, including the focus region.