Abstract
The nomenclatural history of the Asplenium obtusatum complex is reviewed. It is shown that when treated at subspecific rank, A. obtusatum subsp . northlandicum Brownsey, based on a New Zealand type, is the correct name for the octoploid taxon that occurs in both New Zealand and Australia. However, when raised to species rank there are two earlier validly published names, A. decurrens Willd. and A. sarmentosum Willd., based on Australian types, that take priority over Asplenium northlandicum (Brownsey) Ogle. Both names relate to the same taxon and were published simultaneously. The name A. decurrens is preferred because the holotype is based on a herbarium specimen, whereas the type of A. sarmentosum is an illustration. This short communication is a contribution towards clarifying the taxonomic and nomenclatural status of New Zealand plants for the plant names database (Ngā Tipu Aotearoa) and the electronic Flora of New Zealand.