On the botanical history and nomenclature of the New World genus <i>Piscidia</i> (Fabaceae)

Piscidia L. (Fabaceae) is a New World genus with nine recognized taxa (seven species and two varieties). The previous nomenclatural revisions, made in 1910 and in 1969, are revisited here. The names Derris grandifolia Heyde &amp; Lux ex Donn.Sm. and P. cubensis Urb. required step II lectotypifications, with an epitype for the latter name. For P. carthagenensis Jacq., its original description is emended. The name P. americana Sessé &amp; Moc. is neotypified. The names Ichthyomethia communis S.F.Blake and P. mollis Rose are lectotypified with an epitype designated for the latter name. Although eight pre‐Linnean polynomials were associated with Piscidia , only those published by Sir Hans Sloane (1660–1753) in 1696 (for P. piscipula (L.) Sarg.), and Charles Plumier (1646–1704) in 1703 (for P. carthagenensis ) concern this genus. A review of the relevant botanical illustrations is also presented, but it was found that only P. piscipula and P. carthagenensis have been depicted in botanical works. The earliest illustration of the former species was painted by Everhardus Kickius in 1701 and published by Sloane in 1725. Piscidia carthagenensis was painted by Plumier some time between 1689 and 1704, but it was posthumously published by Johannes Burman in 1760. Nomenclatural insights for genera described by the Irish naturalist Patrick Browne (ca. 1720–1790) for the flora of Jamaica are provided.