Hieracium schmidtii – a 157-year long botanical error

Hieracium schmidtii is a rare species in Moravia. The only locality in the northern part of Moravia is situated in the Štramberk Karst. This well known locality has been repeatedly and continuously reported for more than 150 years. However, its peculiar phytogeographical isolation, the unsuitable limestone bedrock and unsuccessful recent attempts to find the plants had evoked doubts on the verity of the occurrence at the site. Analysis of botanical literature, study of herbarium specimens and detailed botanical field research revealed that Hieracium schmidtii has never occurred in the Štramberk Karst. The article describes how a single and simple misidentification led to a phantom occurrence of Hieracium schmidtii in the Štramberk Karst. It also elucidates the mechanisms through which this botanical error was maintained and even strengthened by generations of botanists.