Studies in Schefflera (Araliaceae). IV. The identity of Vitis heptaphylla L., a long-misplaced Linnaean ivy tree

A discussion of the little-known and poorly localized Linnaean species Vitis heptaphylla is presented. Its long, though sometimes questioned, association with Middle America arose from J. E. Smith's annotation of the probable type specimen (No. 281.10, LINN) as a possible member of Sciodaphyllum and his association of the name with the Jamaican Aralia sciodaphyllum Willd. [sic] (Schefflera sciodaphyllum (Sw.) Harms) in Rees' Cyclopaedia. However, the plant is the same as the East Asian tree described as Aralia octophylla Lour, and known almost universally since the 1890s as Schefflera octophylla (Lour.) Harms. A formal treatment, incorporating the necessary new combination, is given. Notes on six other Linnaean Mantissa altera species claimed, like Vitis heptaphylla, to be from “India orientalis” but without supporting references, are given in an Appendix.