Nomenclatural notes on Ancistrocactus (Cactaceae)

Ancistrocactus, a name first published by Britton and Rose in 1923, is best treated as based on Schumann's Echinocactus subg. Ancistrocactus, not as t he name of a new genus. Consequently, Britton and Rose's original type desi gnation cannot stand, nor can the next subsequent published choice by Taylo r in 1979, as neither is of an element included in Schumann's protologue. E chinocactus scheeri Salm-Dyck is here proposed to provide the type of both the subgeneric and generic name. This choice conforms to the provisions of the ICBN and does not impinge on the application of the name Ancistrocactus , which, under the narrow generic concept currently again accepted by some, remains correct for Britton & Rose's genus.