Joannesia

Joannesia is a genus of plants in the family Euphorbiaceae, first described as a genus in 1798. The entire genus is endemic to Brazil.

Etymology

Joannesia is a taxonomic patronym honoring the king John VI of Portugal.

The name Joannesia yielded a taxonomic anagram for the genus Annesijoa.

Systematics

1. Joannesia heveoides <small>Ducke</small> - Amazonas State in Brazil
2. Joannesia princeps <small>Vell.</small> - eastern Brazil (Distrito Federal, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro)

In 1807, Persoon used the same name, Joannesia, to a very different plant. He thus created an illegitimate homonym, contrary to the rules of nomenclature. So the one species name that he had created in this illegitimate genus had to be renamed, as follows:

• Joannesia insignis <small>Pers.</small> - Chuquiraga jussieui <small>J.F.Gmel.</small>

References