Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2012
Discovery of the "lost types" of Xiphidium glaberrimum Burmeister, 1838, has made possible the clarification of use of several names which have been used for two species of Orchelimum. O. glaberrimum is shown to be the senior synonym for the species known as O. vulgare Harris, 1841. To preserve stability, an application has been made to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to suppress both glaberrimum Burmeister and cuticulare Audinet-Serville, 1838. O. erythrocephalum Davis, 1905, is removed from synonymy with O. glaberrimum, and is the valid name for that species. Characters for distinguishing vulgare and erythrocephalum are discussed and illustrated. Type specimens are designated for glaberrimum, cuticulare, and vulgare.