Meve U. & Alejandro G. J.: Taxonomy of the Asian Gymnema latifolium (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae, Marsdenieae), including lectotypification of the synonymous G. khandalense. — Willdenowia 43: 81–86. June 2013. — Online ISSN 1868-6397; © 2013 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. Stable URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3372/wi.43.43108
The Indian endemics Gymnema khandalense and G. kollimalayanum are proposed as new synonyms of G. latifolium, and lectotypification for G. khandalense is provided. The description of G. latifolium, which is of wide distribution in Bangladesh, S China, India, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, is emended with regard to coronal structures. A chromosome number is also provided for the first time. A (reduced) gynostegial corona for G. latifolium could be confirmed, putting the utility of corona characters for the separation between the genera Gymnema and Marsdenia into question. As a consequence of the reconsidered status of G. latifolium, this species and its synonyms need to be removed from the Indian Red Data List.