Regular ArticleThe typification and characterization of the genus Psychotria L. (Rubiaceae)

The taxonomic history of Psychotria asiatica Lthe type species of the genus Psychotria Lis introduced and discussed in detail. For the first time, the name P. asiatica is unambiguously linked with wild populations of Psychotria from south-east China, allowing critical morphological characteristics and geographical distribution of Psychotria sensu stricto to be known. A full description of P. asiatica is given and representative herbarium specimens are cited. The importance and implications of identifying living representatives that match the type species of Psychotria are briefly discussed. One significant finding of this study is that P. asiatica has pyrenes with preformed germination slits (PGSs), the absence of which has been used by some workers to separate Psychotria from other members of the tribe Psychotrieae.