Kunth (1823) while synonymizing Hebeandra under Monnina, created several nomenclatural
problems grouped into four categories by Eriksen (1996a). One of these categories (i.e., homotypic
names with different epithets) is the one that applies to the present problem. According to Eriksen
(1996a), Kunth, using the same specimens studied by Bonpland, described the Colombian material as
M. phytolaccifolia var. "α" and discussed a Venezuelan collection, which appeared to be different
than the Colombian material, as M. phytolaccifolia var. "β".