There are a lot of confusion in the Marantaceae world concerning a lot of species. The plant we call Goeppertia Freddie is often called Goeppertia concinna online for some reasons, this is one of those confusion I wanna talk about today. Goeppertia "Freddie" is not a Goeppertia concinna. (It is also not G.coccinea)
Goeppertia concinna is Goeppertia "Leopardina". This is a fact, not an opinion, Mariana Naomi SAKA in 2015, when most of Calathea got reclassified into the genus Goeppertia, talked about this issue. Quote "—Given that there is no type specimen or illustration associated with Bull’s description of Maranta concinna (1874: 78), the illustration of Regel’s publication of Calathea leopardina (1877: t.893) is here designated a neotype". This is an official fact, not someone random publishing her opinion. I will put the picture right below (or up idk where it will appear).
After that Naomi SAKA cleared this issue, the Royal Botanical Garden of London (which is one of the highest taxonomy sources, you can't really argue their choices, they are official, except if they haven't updated recent changes) attributed the neotype of Calathea leopardina as Goeppertia concinna, meaning this is the official name of "Leopardina" (which is now just a synonym). I will also link the picture.
Now that you understood Goeppertia concinna is Goeppertia "Leopardina", let's look at their inflorescence. If you didn't know, what makes a species a species is the inflorescence (the flower), there is no other secret with flowering plant. Plants that have the same inflorescence are in the same species, no matter the leaves (that's why Maranta leuconeura has such diverse colors and patterns of leaves). The first picture is the inflorescence of Goeppertia concinna (aka. the old Leopardina), the second is the inflorescence of Goeppertia "Freddie". Totally different right ? That confirms that they are not the same species, so no, Goeppertia "Freddie" cannot be Goeppertia concinna, it is unarguable.
Now for the real species of Goeppertia "Freddie" it is a bit uncertain until this day, I have seen some taxonomist identify it as Goeppertia mirabilis, but I couldn't find enough proof to confirm. It could also totally be an hybrid of a lot of species, which often happens in the Goeppertia genus. The answer stays unanswered until now.
No, "I saw it on Google" is not a real proof, do your researches, go on KEW, researchgate, GBIF, INaturalist, talk to holticulturists and you will have good arguments.
by EffectiveHelp4477
2 Comments
In those kinds of confusion, Goeppertia ornata and Goeppertia sanderiana is also a big one. Goeppertia “White/Yellow Fusion” being labeled as Goeppertia lietzei is also a big one. Goeppertia lancifolia instead of Goeppertia insignis. Or in the Ctenanthe genus, Ctenanthe oppenheimiana being always mislabeled as Ctenanthe setosa…. ect ect there are many exemples
I feel like this is the same as when people are like “that’s not a pothos”