| Chamaebuxus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Chamaebuxus paucifolia | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Polygalaceae |
| Genus: | Chamaebuxus Tourn. |
| Type species | |
| Chamaebuxus alpestris | |
| Species | |
|
6; see text | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
| |
Chamaebuxus is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Polygalaceae. It includes six species, five from the Mediterranean region and central Europe and one from eastern North America.[2][3]
Taxonomy
[edit]The taxonomy of the genus has varied. When a broad circumscription of the genus Polygala is used, it includes Chamaebuxus. When a narrower circumscription is used, there has been uncertainty as to the name which has priority for this genus. Some sources used Polygaloides Haller, others, particularly early sources, Chamaebuxus Tourn. When Polygala was divided into multiple genera in 2011, the author considered Polygaloides to have priority, Tournefort's earlier Chamaebuxus being a pre-Linnaean name and therefore unacceptable. In 2024, Martinez and Pastore showed that Tournefort's name was validly published in 1753, so that Polygaloides was a superfluous name (nom. superfl.) and therefore illegitimate.[4][2] This view was accepted by Plants of the World Online as of November 2025[update].[3]
Species
[edit]As of November 2025[update], Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:[3]
- Chamaebuxus alpestris Spach (synonym Polygaloides chamaebuxus (L.) O.Schwarz)
- Chamaebuxus balansae (Coss.) Stapf
- Chamaebuxus munbyana (Boiss. & Reut.) Stapf
- Chamaebuxus paucifolia (Willd.) J.F.B.Pastore & Agust.Martinez (synonym Polygaloides paucifolia (Willd.) J.R.Abbott)
- Chamaebuxus vayredae (Costa) Willk.
- Chamaebuxus webbiana (Coss.) Stapf
References
[edit]- ^ "Chamaebuxus alpestris Spach". Plants of the World Online. 14 November 2025.
- ^ a b c Pastore, J.F.B. & Mota, M. (2025). "The correct name for the box-leaved milkwort, the generitype of Chamaebuxus (Polygalaceae)". Kew Bulletin. 80 (3): 793–797. Bibcode:2025KewBu..80..793P. doi:10.1007/s12225-025-10316-6.
- ^ a b c d "Chamaebuxus Tourn". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ Martinez, A. & Pastore, J. F. B. (2024). "Reviewing forgotten "Pre-Linnaean" generic names validly published in the third volume of Diderot and d'Alembert's Encyclopédie in 1753". Taxon. 73 (3): 868–879. Bibcode:2024Taxon..73..868M. doi:10.1002/tax.13180.
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