The identification of Garcinia anomala (Clusiaceae)

The taxonomic status of Garcinia bracteata (Clusiaceae), a species endemic to China, has been questionable because its taxonomic traits are indistinct from Garcinia anomala and Garcinia propinqua . According to field investigations, careful examination of herbarium specimens, and statistical analysis, we assert that the traits previously used for distinguishing between G. bracteata , G. anomala and G. propinqua are unreliable for distinguishing these species. Therefore, G. bracteata and G. propinqua are being treated as synonyms of G. anomala . G. anomala is the earliest named species and thus has nomenclatural priority.