Nomenclatural Noise Amplifies Linnean and Wallacean Shortfalls in an Endemic Chilean Plant: The Case of Lardizabala biternata

Nomenclatural noise is a major source of uncertainty in biodiversity research and can affect the accuracy of species distribution data. This study examines the nomenclatural history and geographical distribution of the Chilean endemic Lardizabala biternata, a culturally significant climbing plant that has accumulated numerous synonyms, orthographic variants and misapplied names since the 19th century. This accumulation has fragmented available information, limiting current knowledge of its ecology, spatial distribution patterns and conservation status. We reviewed historical literature and digital repositories to clarify its taxonomic identity and compiled occurrence records from Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), iNaturalist and virtual herbaria. Records were manually verified based on concordance between coordinates, locality descriptions and the known distributional range, excluding duplicates, spatial inconsistencies and likely misidentifications. From an initial dataset of 1320 records, 632 (48%) were removed, resulting in 688 validated occurrences used to generate a distribution map and a Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) heatmap in Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS). Nomenclatural inconsistencies (sixteen names identified) can introduce erroneous records and distort spatial patterns, generating apparent gaps and potentially spurious clusters in raw data. After curation, we found that the distribution of L. biternata is restricted to central Chile, with concentrations in coastal and pre-Andean areas. These results show how nomenclatural noise contributes to Linnean and Wallacean shortfalls and provide a baseline for future research on this species.