(2978) Proposal to reject the name <i>Plantago strictissima</i> (<i>Plantaginaceae</i>)

(2978) Plantago strictissima L., Amoen. Acad. 4: 478. Nov 1759 [Angiosp.: Plantagin.], nom. utique rej. prop. Neotypus (vide Di Pietro & al. in Taxon 62: 635. 2013): Italy, Piemonte, Cuneo, Bellino, Val Varaita, mesophilous grasslands on pebbly substrates, 1942 m, 44°34′N, 06°57′E, 16 Jul 2008, 2184 (HFLA!). The name strictissima, validly published by Linnaeus (Amoen. 1759) the reproduction of dissertation his collaborator T.E. Nathorst (Linnaeus, Fl. Monsp.: 10. 1756) addition a statement explaining source numeral (“322”) accompanying (see ICN Art. 33 Ex. 1; Turland Regnum Veg. 159. 2018), was neotypified (in 635–636. 2013) and synonymized with P. serpentina All. (the latter lectotypified authors specimen preserved at TO). (l.c.) proposed conservation Allioni's (proposal no. 2150), since strict application principle priority (Art. 11) would require using long-overlooked for taxon species rank currently referred to as serpentina. Nomenclature Committee Vascular Plants (Applequist 63: 1364. 2014) did not recommend “Many people today call this maritima L. subsp. (L.) Arcang.—the proposal describes its status ‘still uncertain’—and subspecific is threatened Linnaeus's epithet.” Applequist continues: “Even if recognized level, loss appear be particularly disadvantageous.” However, two years later, General (Wilson 65: 1150. 2016) suggested that “a new made instead reject out-right [utique]”. We agree Committee's recommendation, light analysis presented (l.c.), highly undesirable name, owing uncertainties revolving around original Linnaeus, complete absence morphological information (i.e., description or diagnosis) material al., l.c.), also very rare use protologue published. A critical literature indicated long overlooked l.c.) it rarely cited recent times (e.g., Wallnöfer Tuexenia 28: 227–238. 2008 [whose nomenclature followed Fischer Exkursionsfl. Österreich, Liechtenstein und Südtirol, ed. 2. 2005]; Martini Nat. Bresciana 39: 35. 2015 [the reported “Tab. 1” based field observations (abbreviation “OX” table) supporting their choice Linnaean unclear]; Wilhalm Gredleriana 17: 268. 2017 [no reference floristic list 4”]). Conversely, has seen much more 19th century Arcangeli, Comp. Ital.: 499. 1882; Fiori, Nuov. Ital. 2: 483. 1927; Braun-Blanquet Pawlowski J. Agric. Tradit. Bot. Appl. 119: 536–543. 1931; Banti Pl. Biosyst. 61: 38–66. 1954; Hesse Syst. Evol. 132: 107–139. 1979; Brullo Jahrb. 125: 453–488. 2004; Bartolucci 152: 179–303. 2018; Pignatti Ital., 2, 3: 3. 2018). Furthermore, phytosociological terms, plays role guide several syntaxa from different parts Europe, both association Plantagini serpentinae-Jasonietum tuberosae (O. Bolòs) O. Bolòs Masalles 1983 Centaureo jaceae-Plantaginetum serpentinae Conesa 1992 [Spain, Catalunya; Ninot Acta Barcinon. 46: 191–237. 2000]; Prunello hyssopifoliae-Plantaginetum Biurrun 1999 Navarra; Guineana 5: 1–338. 1999]; serpentinae-Nardetum strictae Tomaselli 2003 [Italy, southern Apennines; Phyton (Horn) 43: 39–57. 2003]; serpentinae-Armerietum halleri Coldea 2022 [Romania, Carpathians; Stud. (Taipei) 29. 2022]) alliance Plantaginion (Bonin 1978) Terzi, Theurillat [southern Italy; Terzi 155: 1213–1225. 2021]), whereas no syntaxon names are associated strictissima. Finally, been surviving thus an unequivocal application, which evidently case whose neotypification, material, challenged Applequist, l.c.). Some (see, e.g., Moore Tutin Europ. 38–44. 1976; Hassemer Webbia 72: 197–205. 2017) have doubts regarding classification here refer aggregate complex InfoFlora. 2023. https://www.infoflora.ch/it/flora/plantago-serpentina-aggr.html, accessed 24 Jun 2023), POWO (Plants Word Online. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:685645-1, 2023) synonymised Nevertheless, adoption obscure such completely lacks satisfactory evidence original, intended must undoubtedly considered detrimental nomenclatural stability. Therefore, we argue potentially disruptive and, aim prevent disadvantageous stability accordance 56, propose rejection. Acceptance neutralise threats posed obscure, uncertain Rejection mean become correct level entity broadly DI, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5491-7568 RDP, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4983-8931 GH, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4365-6934