Nomenclatural Notes on Conifer Names Published by George Gordon and Christian Von Steven

A literature survey conducted to establish the date of valid publication of the name Pinus pithyusa revealed a series of publications on conifer plants authored by George Gordon, published during 1841 and 1842 in the horticultural periodical Gardeners' Chronicle. The series seems to be largely overlooked by botanical scholars. Names appearing in these contributions, their status and current application are reviewed here. The following new names and combinations were validly published in this series: Pinus californica Gordon, P. pithyusa Gordon, P. hispanica Gordon, P. romana Gordon, P. taurica (Loudon) Gordon, P. chilghoza Gordon, Abies khutrow (Royle ex Turra) Gordon, A. morinda Gordon and Juniperus squamosa Gordon. Of these, P. pithyusa is the only name requiring nomenclatural adjustments. The history of the discovery of P. pithyusa and its introduction to Britain is reviewed in connection with the first valid publication of the name. It is also shown that Juniperus marschalliana, published by Christian von Steven in 1856, is the earlier legitimate name for the taxon currently known as J. deltoides. The names Pinus pithyusa Gordon and J. marschalliana Steven are typified and the combination Pinus brutia var. pithyusa (Gordon) Silba ex Kovalchuk, comb. nova is proposed.