Article

Cynoglossum marifolium was described and validly named in 1824, in a posthumous publication of Roxburgh. Clarke in 1885 unaccountably relegated it to the synonymy of Heliotropium marifolium Retz., where it has since remained, even though the original description forbids such placement. No original specimen is known to exist, but an original watercolour drawing inscribed “Cynoglossum marifolium R.”, commissioned by Roxburgh from an unknown Indian artist, was recently offered for sale and has been acquired for the Palermo Herbarium (PAL-Gr). It is here designated as lectotype. An almost identical drawing exists at Kew. Roxburgh’s plant’s correct identity is Bothriospermum marifolium (Roxb.) DC., a species that has so far been confused with the closely related B. zeylanicum (J. Jacq.) Druce.