The botanical nomenclature of the kiwifruit and related taxa

Abstract Recent changes in the nomenclature of Actinidia chinensis Planch. and related taxa are summarised. Liang (1975) described two varieties from mainland China: A. chinensis var. chinensis and A. chinensis var. hispida C. F. Liang. This latter variety, which includes the cultivated kiwifruit, had previously been described in 1940 as A. latlfolia Merr. var. deliciosa . 4. Chev. and the following year as A. chinensis var. deliciosa (A. Chev.) A. Chev. The varietal name deliciosa therefore has priority. There are. however, sufficient differences between A. chinensis var. chinensis and A. chinensis var. deliciosa to justify separating the variety deliciosa as a distinct species, A. deliciosa (A. Chev.) C. F. Liang et A. R. Fereuson. A third‐variety, A. chinensls var. setosa Li, has been described from Taiwan. This variety has also been raised to specific status as A. setosa (Li) C. F. Liang et A. R. Ferguson. Consequent changes in the nomenclature of infraspecific taxa are listed.