This synopsis of the cultivated taxa (species, cultivars) of the genus Bucephalandra Schott (Araceae – Schismatoglottideae) represents current results of the research, the author has been carrying on over the past few years (Savov, 2026).
The study is based on the latest taxonomy of the genus (Boyce & Wong, 2012; Wong & Boyce, 2014a, 2014b, 2016; Wong et al., 2018, 2022) and deals with the diversity and variability of the cultivated clones of Bucephalandra available in Russia.
Further updates and corrections will be following in this web version as respective information becomes available.
Identification of the cultivated plants by the author constitutes the core of the Synopsis.
Every specimen has been identified with utmost accuracy, to the species level or to the level of aggregate/complex/group of species. A cultivar or trade name is always included, if it exists.
The following determination types are possible:
- dependable/stable identification to the species level;
- provisional identification, because of:
- lack of information or uncertainty about its source (marked by "confer", "cf."),
- possible undescribed species similar to the one indicated (also "confer");
- obviously another undescribed species close to the one indicated (marked by "affinis", "aff.").
The Synopsis involves only taxa that have been confirmed in cultivation.
For each taxon, the following information is provided:
- Complete taxonomic name (generic and specific epithets in italics with author name(s) of the taxon), as well as common name (in the Russian version only).
- Bibliographic reference, essential synonyms, geographic range and ecology. This information is taken generally from the protologues and (rarely) from the collector' observations.
- A list of cultivars and trading clones, determination status and data source, as well as respective notes (if needed).
In the following cases, some names of cultivated clones may also be included in the list:
- Commercial names mentioned in the published treatments of the genus (Wong & Boyce, 2014a, etc.). Respective references are always indicated.
- Cultivars and trade names identified by commercial companies or/and listed in public databases, together with hyperlinks to the respective source.
- Living plant specimens from wholesale suppliers and stores if we can more or less rely on their adequate names/determinations. Hyperlinks are included to confirm that information, if accessible.
If a link is currently not available (became outdated), a copy of the saved data can be provided by request.
Species of Bucephalandra are listed below in alphabetical order.
For each one, precise identifications are given first, followed by provisional ones. Next, the entries are arranged alphabetically by cultivars and trade names.
In addition, the Synopsis includes commercial names preliminary identified to the complex/group of species. Finally, some suspected/proved artificial hybrids are mentioned.
This Synopsis should not be used as a "field guide" for cultivated clones of Bucephalandra.
Determination of each plant requires justification by an appropriate set of morphological characters. Each specimen must be approached individually, and the trade name/epithet should not be a serious argument in plants identification.
Abbreviations, notations and bibliographic references are given in appendices.
Any taxonomic/commercial name mentioned in this document can be found using a page search (on the web version), which is supported by almost any browser.
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