Notes on Australian taxa of Nymphoides (Menyanthaceae): typification and nomenclature

eventuate. There are currently 20 species of Nymphoides Seg. (Menyanthaceae) recognised as occurring in Australia (Aston 2003). Those described since 1950 had their type collections clearly designated when first described, but are included here for completeness. Those described prior to 1950 were initially placed under the generic names of either Limnanthemum S.G.Gmel. or Villarsia Vent. and most of them have been treated, at one time or another, under all three generic names. This paper designates lectotypes where necessary, provides explanatory notes, and details the nomenclature and types for all Australian species except N. indica (L.) Kuntze and N. parvifolia (Griseb.) Kuntze. Although the two excluded species occur in Australia they were described from other countries and their typification has not been fully investigated by the author. For species described before 1950, lectotypes are here designated for the currently accepted taxa N. crenata (F.Muell.) Kuntze, N. exiliflora (F.Muell.) Kuntze, N. geminata (R.Br.) Kuntze and N. minima (F.Muell.) Kuntze. They are also here designated for the taxonomic synonyms N. hydrocharoides (F.Muell.) Kuntze [under N. aurantiaca] and Limnanthemum geminatum (R.Br.) Griseb. var. parvifolium Griseb. [under N. exiliflora (F.Muell.) Kuntze]. Villarsia geminata var. β R.Br. is also placed under N. exiliflora and recognised as an informal synonym of L. geminatum var. parvifolium. Robert Brown’s informal variety of Villarsia geminata var. α is placed with N. geminata (R.Br.) Kuntze. The holotype and possible isotypes of N. exigua (F.Muell.) Kuntze, the holotype and isotypes of N. furculifolia Specht, and the holotype of Villarsia trachysperma F.Muell. [a taxonomic synonym of N. indica (L.) Kuntze] are given. The holotype and isotype of N. stygia (J.M.Black) H.Eichler are given and the name is considered a nomen ambiguum. Basionyms and nomenclatural synonyms, all of which occur under the generic names of either Limnanthemum or Villarsia, are cited.