Rafinesque’s nymphs

José A. Mari Mut

2019 Rafinesque’s nymphs

On the cover- The Dance of Nymphs. By Willam Gale (1823-1909)

© 2019 edicionesditales.info. Ediciones Digitales, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

This publication may be freely copied and distributed for educational non-profit use. i The inspiration for this short contribution was the statement made by Peter Bernhardt, on page 12 of his enjoyable Gods and Goddesses in the Garden... (2008), to the 1 effect that botanist Constantine Samuel Rafinesque had made up “out of thin air” the names of four plant genera Introduction, dedicated to nymphs whose names “no one has ever Methods and found... in the classic poems, plays, or books of mythology.” Results Rafinesque dedicated to nymphs fifty plant genera, only seven of which can be matched to a nymph known from classic works. This situation has unavoidably led to educated guesses by researchers interested in the etymology of plant names. For example, Schultes and Pease (1963) suggest that Adipe may refer to the generally fleshy flower and Cordula to a club-shaped column, of orchids.

In an attempt to determine the origin of Rafinesque’s names, I extracted from Burkhardt (2018) 45 generic names dedicated by Rafinesque to nymphs. Given that with a single exception the names originated in Rafinesque’s Flora Te lu r i a n a and Sylva Teluriana, both publications were

2 browsed page by page and five more names were found, reaching the total of fifty.

I then began searching for the names on the Internet and it quickly became apparent that they did not originate in the names of the classic nymphs of antiquity, but rather on the names of what Vane- Wright (2005) has called winged nymphs: butterflies!

All but six of the 50 names, and all but two of the remaining 44, can be traced to a butterfly included in two works by Johann Christian Fabricius published during the late 18th century. Rafinesque, who was also interested in butterflies (the family name Nymphalidae is credited to him), and who was contemporary with Fabricius during 25 years, had simply turned to the latter’s work for names to use for his many plant genera, just as Fabricius probably turned to other publications, and Linnaeus turned to classical works (Heller 1945).

The next page reproduces page 59 of the third volume of Fabricius’ Entomología systematica enmendata et aucta... (1793). The names Enothrea, Dirtea and Panope correspond to three of Rafinesque’s plant genera dedicated to nymphs. Hippia was in use for a plant genus.

3 4 Adipe (Orchidaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1837 Vol. 2: 101. Butterfly: Fabriciana adippe (Dennis & Schiffermüller) 1775 (Nymphalidae). See Fabricius 1793: 146. 2 Almana (Gesneriaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1838 vol. 4: 68. The genera Butterfly: Juniona almana (Linnaeus) 1758 (Nyphalidae). See Fabricius 1793: 89. and the Amphione (Convolvulaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1838 vol. 4: butterflies 79. Butterfly: Dismorphia amphione (Cramer) 1779 (Pieridae). Aplina (Asteraceae)- Flora Telluriana 1838 vol. 4: 119. Not related to a butterfly. The plant is from Mt. Parnassus in Greece and the name is perhaps derived from alpina, meaning from a high, rocky habitat. For this name the author indicated for a nymph and simplicity; short, simple and easy to read names were favorites of Rafinesque.

Aurota (Amaryllidaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1837. Vol. 3: 61. Butterfly: Belenois aurota (Fabricius) 1793 (Pieridae). See Fabricius 1793: 197.

5 Blandina (Lamiaceae)- Flora Telluriana Doriclea (Lamiaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1837 vol. 3: 88. Butterfly: Papilio blandina 1837. Vol. 3: 89. Butterfly: Euriphene doriclea Fabricius 1793 (Nymphalidae). See (Drury) 1782 (Nymphalidae). See Fabricius Fabricius 1793: 129, 236. Now considered a 1793: 248. synonym of Myscelia orsis (Drury) 1782. Endeisa (Orchidaceae)- Flora Telluriana Bolina (Melastomataceae)- Sylva 1837. Vol. 2: 52. Not related to a butterfly. Telluriana 1838 p. 101. Butterfly: In Greek mythology, Queen Endeis was Hypolimnas bolina (Linnaeus) 1758 the wife of King Aeacus and Achille’s (Nymphalidae). See Fabricius 1793: 126. grandmother. Bolina was a mortal young woman who Enipea (Lamiaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1837. leapt into the sea in order to escape Vol. 3: 92. Butterfly: Papilio aenippe Cramer Apollo’s advances, who in response turned 1777 (Pieridae). See Fabricius 1793: 204. her into a nymph. Now considered a synonym of Ixias pyrenne Camonea (Convolvulaceae)- Flora Linnaeus 1764. Telluriana 1838. vol. 4: 81. Butterfly: Acraea Enothrea (Orchidaceae)- Flora Telluriana camaena (Drury) 1773 (Nymphalidae). 1838. vol. 4: 43. Butterfly: Ariadne enotrea Initially spelled camoena. See Fabricius (Cramer) 1782 (Nymphalidae). Fabricius 1793: 173. In Roman mythology, the (1793: 59) mispelled the name enothrea, Camenae or Camoenae were goddesses of which is how Rafinesque apparently childbirth, wells and fountains, as well as copied it. prophetic deities, equivalent to the Muses of Greek mythology. Ethesia (Liliaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1837. Vol. 3: 60. Butterfly: Papilio ethesia Drury Cordula (Orchidaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1782 (Nymphalidae). See Fabricius 1793: 1838. vol. 4: 46. Butterfly: Satyrus cordula 249. By 1869 the species had been (Fabricius) 1793 (Satyridae). See Fabricius transferred to the genus Eurytela. 1793: 226. Ethesia (Acanthaceae)- Flora Telluriana Dirtea (Commelinaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1838. Vol. 4: 63. Butterfly: Papilio ethesia 1837. Vol. 3: 69. Butterfly: Lexias dirtea Drury 1782 (Nymphalidae). See Fabricius (Fabricius) 1793 (Nymphalidae). See 1793: 249. By 1869 the species had been Fabricius 1793: 59. transferred to the genus Eurytela.

6 Evalthe (Gentianaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1781 vol. 2: 109. According to Encyclopedia 1837. Vol. 3: 77. Butterfly (moth): Mythica (https://pantheon.org), Idalia is a Xanthocastnia evalthe (Fabricius) 1775 surname for Aphrodite, derived from the (Castniidae). See Fabricius 1793: 45. town of Idalion in Cyprus.

Flipanta (Lamiaceae)- Flora Telluriana Ilythuria (Marantaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1837. Vol. 3: 92. Butterfly: Melete lycimnia 1838. vol. 4: 51. Butterfly: Byblia ilithia flippantha (Fabricius) 1793 (Pieridae). See (Drury) 1773 (Nymphalidae). See Fabricius Fabricius 1793: 202. Spelling simplified by 1793: 131 (spelled Ilithuia). Rafinesque. Janasia (Acanthaceae)- Flora Telluriana Froscula (Orchidaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1838. vol. 4: 51. Butterfly: Chalybis janias 1838. vol. 4: 44. Butterfly: Perhaps Marpesia (Cramer) 1779 (Lycaenidae). See Fabricius furcula (Fabricius) 1793 (Nymphalidae). See 1793: 259. Janassa is anymph in the Iliad. Fabricius 1793: 79. Froscula may be based Kethosia (Convolvulaceae)- Flora on furcula, which has other meanings in Telluriana 1838. vol. 4: 78. Butterfly: zoology. Cethosia Fabricius 1807 (Nymphalidae). Hecabe (Orchidaceae)- Flora Telluriana Laothoe (Liliaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1837. 1838. vol. 4: 44. Butterfly: Eurema hecabe vol. 3: 53. Butterfly: Temenis laothoe (Linnaeus) 1758 (Pieridae). See Fabricius (Cramer) 1777 (Nymphalidae). See 1793: 192. In Greek mythology, Hecabe was Fabricius 1793: 102. In 1807 Fabricius used a nymph, one of the fifty Danaids, the name for a genus of moths. In Greek daughters of Danaus, king of Lybia. Hecabe mythology there are at least six women was also a Trojan queen, mother of Hector. called Laothoe. Hedusa (Melastomatacee)- Sylva Levana (Solanaceae)- Autikon Botanikon Telluriana 1838 p. 101. Butterfly: Pontia 1840: 15. Butterfly: Araschnia levana edusa (Fabricius) 1787 (Pieridae). See (Linnaeus) 1758 Nymphalidae. See Fabricius 1793: 206. Another option is Fabricius 1793: 256. In Roman mythology, Leptosia medusa (Cramer) 1777 (Pieridae). Levana (from levare- to lift) is an ancient See Fabricius 1793: 235. goddess concerned with childbirth, Idalia (Convolvulaceae)- Flora Telluriana particularly with the process of raising the 1838. vol. 4: 76. Butterfly: Speyera idalia newborn from the ground unto the arms (Drury) 1773 (Nymphalidae). See Fabricius of the midwife or mother.

7 Licinia (Liliaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1837. (Linnaeus) 1764. See Fabricius 1793: 189. In Vol. 3: 57. Butterfly: Papilio licinia Cramer Greek mythology, Monuste is a nymph, 1777 (Pieridae). See Fabricius 1793: 197. one of the fifty Danaids, daughters of Now considered a synonym of Enantia Danaus, king of Lybia. melite (Linnaeus) 1763. There are at least six Narica (Orchidaceae)- Flora Telluriana women in Roman antiquity named Licinia, 1837. Vol. 2: 87. Butterfly: Papilio narica one of them a vestal virgin. Fabricius 1793 (Pieridae). See Fabricius Lysimnia (Orchidaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1793: 187. Now considered a synonym of 1838. vol. 4: 43. Butterfly: Mechanitis Leptosia alcesta (Stoll) 1782. In Roman lysimnia (Fabricius) 1793. See Fabricius 1793: mythology, Marica (with an M) was a 161. nymph, mother of Latinus.

Maturna (Orchidaceae)- Flora Telluriana Nicipe (Liliaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1837. 1837. Vol. 2: 99. Butterfly: Euphydryas Vol. 3: 54. Butterfly: Eurema nicippe maturna (Linnaeus) 1758. See Fabricius (Cramer) 1779. See Fabricius 1793: 208. In 1793: 254. In Roman mythology, Manturna Greek mythology, there at least three is a minor goddess related to marriage. women named Nicippe.

Melfona (Lythraceae)- Sylva Telluriana Olgasis (Orchidaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1838 p. 103. Not related to a butterfly or 1837. Vol. 2: 51. Not related to a butterfly character in antiquity. or character in antiquity. Olgasis is the ancient name for a region in Asia Minor, Micalia (Orobanchaceae)- Flora later known as the Kush Tagh (Ainsworth Telluriana 1837. Vol. 2: 105. Butterfly: 1888: 377). Papilio micalia Cramer 1775 (Nymphalidae). See Fabricius 1793: 60. Now considered a Oziroe (Asparagaceae)- Flora Telluriana synonym of Catonephele numilia (Cramer) 1837. Vol. 3: 53. Not related to a butterfly. 1775. In Greek mythology, Ocyroe was a nymph, daughter of the centaur Chiron and the Modesta (Convolvulaceae)- Flora naiad Chariclo. Telluriana 1838. vol. 4: 75. Butterfly (moth): Sphinx modesta Fabricius 1793 (Sphingidae). Panope (Verbenaceae)- Flora Telluriana See Fabricius 1793: 356. 1837 Vol. 2: 104. Butterfly: Papilio panope Linnaeus 1758 (Papilionidae). See Fabricius Monustes (Orchidaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1793: 59. Now considered a subspecies of 1837. Vol. 2: 87. Butterfly: Ascia monuste

8 Papilio clytia Linnaeus 1758. Panope is a Tolumnia (Orchidaceae)- Flora Telluriana nymph in the Iliad. 1837 Vol. 2: 101. Butterfly: Chloroeuptychia tolumnia (Cramer) 1777 (Nymphalidae). See Parrasia (Gentianaceae)- Flora Telluriana Fabricius 1781 2: 85. Lars Tolumnius was a 1837. Vol. 3: 78. Butterfly: Acraea parrhasia king of the Etruscan city-state of Veil. (Fabricius) 1793 (Nymphalidae). See Schultes & Pease (1963: 306) indicate that Fabricius 1793: 175. Tolumnius was a Rotulian mentioned by Postuera (Oleaceae)- Sylva Telluriana 1838 Virgil. p. 10. Not related to a butterfly or Va n e s s a (Rubiaceae)- Flora Telluriana character in antiquity. 1837. Vol. 3: 57. Butterly: Papilio vanessa. See Proterpia (Bignoniaceae)- Sylva Fabricius 1793: 192. In 1807 Fabricius used Telluriana 1838 p. 10. Butterfly: Eurema the name for a genus of butterflies. proterpia (Fabricius) 1775 (Pieridae). See Xaritonia (Orchidaceae)- Flora Telluriana Fabricius 1793: 210. 1838. vol. 4: 9. Butterfly: Heliconius Quirina (Lythraceae)- Sylva Telluriana charitonia (Linnaeus) 1767 (Nymphalidae). 1838 p. 102. Butterfly: Acraea quirina See Fabricius 1793: 170. (Fabricius 1781) (Nymphalidae). See Zelmira (Marantaceae)- Flora Telluriana Fabricius 1781 2: 36. 1838. vol. 4: 50. Butterfly: Papilio zelmira Serena (Amaryllidaceae)- Flora Telluriana Stoll 1780 (Pieridae). See Fabricius 1793: 1838. vol. 4: 20. Butterfly: Acraea serena 197. This is the type species of the genus (Fabricius) 1775 (Nymphalidae). See Apias. Fabricius 1781 Vol. 2: 28.

Sulpitia (Orchidaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1838. vol. 4: 37. Butterfly: Athyma sulpitia (Cramer) 1779 (Nymphalidae). See Fabricius 1793: 245. Sulpicia is the name of two Roman poetesses.

Thyella (Convolvulaceae)- Flora Telluriana 1838. vol. 4: 84. Butterfly (moth): Xylophanes thyelia (Linnaeus) 1758 (Sphingidae). See Fabricius 1793: 378.

9 Acraea quirina (Fabricius 1781). Quirina Rafinesque 1838

Ainsworth, W. F. 1888. A Personal Narrative of the Euphrates Expedition. Vol. 2. Hegan Paul Trench And Co London. 502 pp. 3 Bernhardt, P. 2008. Gods and Goddesses in the Garden: Literature Greco-Roman Mythology and the Scientific Names of Plants. Rutgers University Press. 264 pp. Cited Burkhardt, L. 2018. Verzeichnis eponymischer Pflanzennamen. Erweiterte Edition. Berlin Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin. https://www.bgbm.org/de/other-publications/verzeichnis- eponymischer-pflanzennamen-erweiterte-edition

Fabricius, J. B. 1781. Species Insectorum... Tom. 2. 517 pp.

Fabricius, J. C. 1793. Entomologia systematica emendata et aucta... Vol. 3. 519 pp.

Heller, J. L. 1945. Classical Mythology in the Systema Naturae of Linnaeus. Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association 76: 333-357.

10 Rafinesque, C. S. 1837-1838. Flora Telluriana. Printed for the author by H. Probasco, Philadelphia. 4 volumes, 348 pp.

Rafinesque, C. S. 1838. Sylva Telluriana. Printed for the author in Philadelphia. 284 pp.

Schultes, R. E. and A. S. Pease. 1963. Generic Names of Orchids, their Origin and Meaning. Academic Press. 331 pp.

Va n e -Wright, R. I. 2005. Winged nymphs in Rafinesque’s tomb. The Linnean 21(4): 25-28.

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