A replacement name, a new record, and lectotypifications in <i>Rhamnus</i> (Rhamnaceae) from China

The present work provides a new name, a new record, and twelve lectotypifications for Rhamnus in China, making the first step towards a comprehensive taxonomic revision of China's buckthorns. Rhamnus prostrata Jacquem. ex R.Parker is renamed as R . cotoneaster Yi Yang &amp; Z. Zhou, given the specific epithet ‘ prostrata ' had been applied to R . prostrata (Boiss.) Murb. earlier. The occurrence of R . purpurea in China is confirmed based on four collections from Xizang. Fifteen species names, i.e., R . cotoneaster , R . davurica , R . diamantiaca , R . erythroxylum , R . gilgiana , R . heterophylla , R . iteinophylla , R . koraiensis , R . leptophylla , R . procumbens , R . purpurea , R . rugulosa , R . sargentiana , R . utilis , and R . virgata , are found to be untypified and twelve of these are lectotypified here. No original materials of R . davurica , R . diamantiaca , and R . erythroxylum could be located or had been consulted so these names had to be left untypified.