Resolving the taxonomic status of Lithocarpus lycoperdon (Fagaceae) and establishing a new synonym

Resolving the taxonomic status of Lithocarpus lycoperdon (Fagaceae) and establishing a new synonym

This study investigates the taxonomic status of Lithocarpus lycoperdon (Skan) A. Camus, L. cinereus Chun & C. C. Huang, and L. pachylepis A. Camus through extensive field observations, herbarium collections examinations, and detailed morphological comparisons. Our findings demonstrate that the type specimen of L. lycoperdon is an admixture, comprising an acorn from L. pachylepis mounted alongside a branchlet of L. cinereus on the same sheet. To resolve this taxonomic confusion, we designate the branchlet portion as the lectotype and select a specimen from the type locality with acorns attached to a branchlet as the epitype to provide a complete representation of L. lycoperdon. Furthermore, we reduce L. cinereus to a synonym of L. lycoperdon.