Sabdariffa sudanensis Mwachala & R. L. Barrett 2025, comb. nov.

Sabdariffa sudanensis (Hochr.) Mwachala & R.L.Barrett, comb. nov. Hibiscus sudanensis Hochr., Annuaire Cons. Jard. Bot. Genève 10: 18–19 (1906); Hibiscus rostellatus var. sudanensis (Hochr.) Hauman, Fl. Afr. Centr. 10: 119 (1963). Type: Central African Republic: territorie de l’Oubagangi entre le porta de la Noaca et le fort Sibut, 10 Dec. 1903, A.J.B. Chevalier 10757 (lecto, here designated: P 00151944; iso: G 00015130, P 00389358). Hibiscus sudanensis var. genuinus Hochr., Annuaire Cons. Jard. Bot. Genève 10: 19 (1906), nom. inval. Hibiscus sudanensis var. glabrescens Hochr., Annuaire Cons. Jard. Bot. Genève 10: 19 (1906). Hibiscus sudanensis f. grandiflorus Hochr., Annuaire Cons. Jard. Bot. Genève 10: 20 (1906), nom. illeg. Type: Central African Republic: Haut Oubangui: rég. de Krébedjé, A.J.B. Chevalier 63xz (lecto, here designated: P 00151945; isolecto: G 00014294, P 00389359, P 00389360). Hibiscus sudanensis f. minoriflorus Hochr., Annuaire Cons. Jard. Bot. Genève 10: 20 (1906). Type: Central African Republic: territore du Chari, vallèe du Boro, 2 Jan. 1903, A.J.B. Chevalier 7104 (lecto, here designated: P 00151943; isolecto: G 00014295, P 00389361). Hibiscus rostellatus var. congolanus Hauman, Bull. Jard. Bot. État. 31: 86–87 (1961). Type: Democratic Republic of The Congo: District Forestiere Centrale, Yangambi, vallée marécageuse de la Lilanda, 470 m, 15 Dec. 1937, J.Louis 7032 (holo: BR 0000008953254; iso: BR 0000008953582, K 000240746, WAG 0002316, YBI 177575079). Descriptions and illustrations Hochreutiner (1906, pp. 18–20); Andrews (1952, p. 26); Hauman (1961, pp. 86–87; 1963, p. 119); Wilson (1999, p. 57, fig. 2e); van der Burg (2013, p. 69). Typification We here designate P 00151944 as lectotype of Hibiscus sudanensis as this is the best material with original labels and annotations by Hochreutiner. Hochreutiner (1906, p. 19) did not list specimens directly under the variety Hibiscus sudanensis var. glabrescens, rather only under the forms of the variety. However, there is a note specifying that Chevalier 10757 is the type of the species name and var. genuinus, and that Chevalier ‘XZ’ [=63xz] is the type of var. glabrescens (Hochreutiner 1906, p. 20). As Chevalier 63xz is the type of forma grandiflorus, that name is illegitimate. We here designate P 00151943 as lectotype of Hibiscus sudanensis f. minoriflorus as thisis the best material with original labels and annotations by Hochreutiner. Notes Hibiscus rostellatus var. congolanus is sometimes included under S. rostellata (e.g. POWO, see https://powo.science. kew.org/) but the leaf shape, indumentum and calyx features are a better match for S. sudanensis. Lejoly et al. (2010, p. 171) accept the variety as named but we do not currently see justification for recognition without a broader review of variation. Although the species epithet recognises Sudan, this reflects previous political boundaries and the type was collected in what is currently the Central African Republic. The species dubiously occurs in Sudan as currently recognised. Distribution Democratic Republic of The Congo and Central African Republic.