The discovery and naming of Lomelosia caucasica (Dipsacaceae) with notes on its nomenclature and its early cultivation

Lomelosia caucasica, a common and widespread species native in the Caucasus area, was first collected on the SW margin of its distribution area and illustrated as early as 1702. Subsequently, Tournefort published a polynomial for it that was neither taken up by Linnaeus nor by later taxonomists. Even before a Linnaean name was published by Marschall von Bieberstein, this montane to subalpine plant was cultivated in the Loddiges nursery in Hackney in 1808 and in a few other botanical gardens. The details of the first findings of L. caucasica in the wild and its rapid spread in cultivation are elucidated and the pertinent herbarium specimens examined. In addition, the reasons for having proposed a conserved type are presented. A complete list of synonyms with references to protologues are given as well as notes on the distribution and ecology of L. caucasica. Citation: Lack H. W. 2018: The discovery and naming of Lomelosia caucasica (Dipsacaceae) with notes on its nomenclature and its early cultiv...