The colonial legacy of herbaria.

Herbarium collections shape our understanding of Earth's flora and are crucial for addressing global change issues. Their formation, however, is not free from sociopolitical issues of immediate relevance. Despite increasing efforts addressing issues of representation and colonialism in natural history collections, herbaria have received comparatively less attention. While it has been noted that the majority of plant specimens are housed in the Global North, the extent and magnitude of this disparity have not been quantified. Here we examine the colonial legacy of botanical collections, analysing 85,621,930 specimen records and assessing survey responses from 92 herbarium collections across 39 countries. We find an inverse relationship between where plant diversity exists in nature and where it is housed in herbaria. Such disparities persist across physical and digital realms despite overt colonialism ending over half a century ago. We emphasize the need for acknowledging the colonial history of herbarium collections and implementing a more equitable global paradigm for their collection, curation and use.

Typification of 14 names in the Dianthusvirgineus group (Caryophyllaceae).

The nomenclature of 14 taxa from Central and Southern Europe within the Dianthusvirgineus group is discussed. Dianthusaggericola Jord., D.collivagus Jord., D.consimilis Jord., D.orophilus Jord., D.saxicola Jord., D.juratensis Jord. are here lectotypified by specimens from the Jordan herbarium in LY, while D.godronianus Jord. by a specimen in P. Dianthussubacaulis Vill. is neotypified by a specimen collected on Mont Ventoux (S. France) and housed in MPU. For D.sylvestris Wulfen, a lectotype is here designated and its previous neotypification is discussed. Dianthuscaryophyllusvar.tenuifolius Moris, D.caryophyllusf.minor Moris and D.sylvestrisvar.garganicus Ten. are lectotypified by specimens housed in herbarium Moris (TO) and herbarium Tenore (K). Dianthusvirgineusvar.tergestinus Rchb. is lectotypified by a drawing from the Icones florae Germanicae & Helveticae, while D.contractusvar.evolutus Lojac. is neotypified by a specimen in P. For each taxon the currently accepted name is provided including new synonymies. The type indication is followed by nomenclatural and taxonomic notes, in which the original material found is commented and the reasons for the identification of the types are discussed.