editorial

There has been debate around the nomenclature of "lemon". Linnaeus described Citrus medica, with variety limon. The combination by Osbeck is debated; the following annotation from Tropicos (15/12/ 2022) is cited: "As "Citrus Limonia"; this has been construed, e.g., by Mabberley (1997; Telopea 7: 169), as a combination based on Citrus medica L. var limon L., a name not invoked by Osbeck; ICBN Art. 33.3 states that, "if, for a presumed combination, no reference to a basionym is given but the epithet of a previously and validly published name that applies to the same taxon is adopted and that name is neither cited nor indicated in any way, the new combination is validly published as such if, and only if, it would otherwise be a validly published name"; while Osbeck's brief description qualifies as validating, he used the epithet "limonia" (not "limon"), and it may also be questioned whether he was dealing with the same taxon as Linnaeus (though Mabberley provided circumstantial evidence); Mabberley alleged that Osbeck's "limonia" was a "typographical error," but such is clearly not the case; Mabberley lectotypified C. medica var. limon, but that action would not apply to C. limonia Osbeck, if it is interpreted as a new taxon name rather than a new combination"