editorial

This name is often cited as Brachychiton acerifolius (A.Cunn. ex G.Don) F.Muell. Regarding the earlier Macarthur & Moore combination, Tropicos states that the presumed basionym is neither cited nor indicated in any way, so in order to be accepted as validly published, the new combination must "otherwise be a validly published name" (ICBN Art. 33.3). This means only that (according to the standards for 1855) it must "be accompanied by a description or diagnosis" (ICBN Art. 32.1). In this case, the descriptive material is limited to the phrase "Bois mou et spongieux" ["Wood soft and porous"], plus indications of the diameter ("12 à 30 pouces") and height ("60 à 120 pieds") of the trees. Because the Code imposes no minimal requirement on descriptions, this must apparently be accepted as validating.