Goeppertia concinna

Goeppertia concinna (W.Bull) Borchs. & S.Suárez is an accepted species in the family Marantaceae. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, record it in Plants of the World Online (POWO) under the IPNI identifier 60459267-2, describing the plant as a perennial herb that grows primarily in the wet tropical biome [1]. The GBIF Backbone Taxonomy carries the same accepted name and authority under key 7635094 [2].

The species belongs to Goeppertia Nees, the largest genus in Marantaceae. Borchsenius, Suárez and Prince (2012) circumscribed Goeppertia following a molecular phylogenetic analysis that demonstrated Calathea G.Mey., as previously delimited, was polyphyletic; that 2012 revision published 246 new combinations, of which the combination for this species appeared at page 630 [3]. Plants of the World Online records eight synonyms for this species, reflecting a nomenclatural history that spans four genera [1].

The basionym is Maranta concinna W.Bull, published in the Gardener's Chronicle, new series, volume 1, page 78, in 1874 [1]. William Bull was a London-based nurseryman and plant dealer; the Gardener's Chronicle entry constitutes the protologue for this name [3]. The epithet was subsequently placed in the interim genus Phyllodes by K.Schumann, appearing as Phyllodes concinna (W.Bull) K.Schum. in H.G.A.Engler (ed.), Pflanzenr. IV, 48: 119 (1902), as recorded in POWO [1]. POWO additionally records Calathea leopardina var. concinna (W.Bull) Regel, published in Gartenflora 26: 360 (1877), as a further name in the synonymy [1]. The GBIF Backbone Taxonomy corroborates the inclusion of Calathea leopardina var. concinna (W.Bull) Regel in the synonymy of this species [2].

The transfer to Goeppertia Nees was made by Borchsenius, Suárez and Prince, published in Systematic Botany 37(3): 630 in 2012, as part of the 246-combination revision of the genus [3]. The registry records the synonym Calathea concinna with the Borchsenius, Suárez and Prince (2012) paper as its source [3].

POWO records that the synonymy of this species also encompasses Maranta leopardina W.Bull (1875) — a distinct basionym — and its subsequent combination as Calathea leopardina, as well as Maranta chantrieri André (1897) and its subsequent combinations [1]. The effect is that plants historically traded under the names Calathea concinna and Calathea leopardina are treated as a single accepted species under the current circumscription, reflecting the molecular evidence assessed by Borchsenius, Suárez and Prince (2012) [1][3].

The full list of eight synonyms is maintained in Plants of the World Online at the IPNI identifier 60459267-2 [1].

POWO describes Goeppertia concinna as a perennial herb growing primarily in the wet tropical biome [1]. Diagnostic characters distinguishing Goeppertia concinna from related species at the level of the protologue are those recorded in William Bull's 1874 account in the Gardener's Chronicle [1][3]. A detailed morphological redescription in a subsequent monograph has not been located in sources available to this brief. Limited authoritative sources available; further research needed.

POWO records the native range of Goeppertia concinna as Brazil, specifically the states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais, placing the species in the Brazil Southeast phytogeographic region [1]. POWO further describes the species as a perennial of the wet tropical biome [1]. The GBIF Backbone Taxonomy records the same accepted name and is consistent with the POWO circumscription and native distribution [2].

No more granular habitat description — covering elevation, forest type, canopy position, or associated flora — has been located in the primary taxonomic sources available to this brief. Limited authoritative sources available for detailed habitat data; further research needed.

No CITES listing or national Red List status for this species has been located in sources available to this brief; further research needed.

The registry records Goeppertia concinna as a species in cultivation. POWO confirms its acceptance as a perennial of the wet tropical biome native to southeastern Brazil [1]. The species has circulated in the horticultural trade under the synonym Calathea concinna as well as under Calathea leopardina; both names resolve to this accepted species under the circumscription established by Borchsenius, Suárez and Prince (2012) [1][3].

Beyond taxonomic acceptance and native-range data, no published botanic garden collection records, university extension documentation, or peer-reviewed cultivation accounts for this species have been located in the authoritative sources available to this brief. Limited authoritative sources available; further research needed.

One cultivar is recorded in the registry for this species: Goeppertia concinna 'Freddie'. The International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP) requires a cultivar epithet to be enclosed in single quotation marks, and the registry follows that convention for this epithet [4].

No originator is documented. This cultivar predates any registration authority for Marantaceae. The registry records originator_unknown: true for the epithet 'Freddie'. No plant patent number is associated with it, and no authoritative published account of its selection history has been located. Limited authoritative sources available; further research needed.

No International Cultivar Registration Authority has been appointed for Marantaceae. The International Society for Horticultural Science appoints ICRAs through its Commission on Cultivar Registration under the provisions of the ICNCP [4]; no such appointment has been made for Marantaceae or for any of its constituent genera, including Goeppertia Nees [4]. The International Aroid Society is the appointed ICRA for Araceae, a separate family [5]; no equivalent authority exists for Marantaceae. Because no ICRA for Marantaceae has been appointed, no formal registration of the epithet 'Freddie' with an appointed authority is currently possible. Digital Towns is an applicant and aggregator; it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by the ISHS or any appointed ICRA.