New synonyms and lectotypification in Sweetia Spreng. (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae)

Abstract

Sweetia Spreng. (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) is a monospecific genus from South America. This paper contributes to the infraspecific circumscription and lectotypification of S. fruticosa Spreng. A morphological analysis of the types and other specimens does not recognize subspecies within this species. Therefore, two new synonyms under S. fruticosa are proposed: Sweetia fruticosa var. paraguariensis (Hassl.) Yakovlev (≡ Ferreirea spectabilis var. paraguariensis Hassl.) and Sweetia fruticosa var. hassleri Yakovlev (≡ Ferreirea spectabilis f. fruticosa Chodat & Hassl.). The lectotype of S. fruticosa is here designated, a description of the species, information about its geographic distribution, preferred habitats, economic uses, and common names are also presented.