A reappraisal of Thunberg’s spotted lily Lilium maculatum Thunb. and recognition of the elegant lily Lilium × elegans Thunb. (Liliaceae)

Thunberg encountered nine species of <i>Lilium</i> during his visit to Japan in 1776. Of these, <i>L. lancifolium</i> Thunb., <i>L. longiflorum</i> Thunb., <i>L. maculatum</i> Thunb., and <i>L. speciosum</i> Thunb. are all accepted. He also described <i>L. elegans</i> Thunb., a lily that is morphologically similar to <i>L. maculatum</i>. The long-disputed name L. × elegans is confirmed as correctly belonging to the hybrid comprising <i>L. maculatum</i> and <i>L. pensylvanicum</i> Ker Gawl. Thunberg's working methodology, including that of his illustrators and engravers, is scrutinised concerning the publication of his Japanese lilies. Four lectotypes and a neotype are designated, a full synonymy is listed for <i>L. maculatum</i> and L. × elegans, and keys to the hybrid and its parent species, as well as to the natural varieties within <i>L. maculatum</i>, are provided.