Thermopsis macrophylla is not widely recognized in major botanical references or databases as a distinct, currently accepted species name. While Thermopsis is a well‑documented genus within the legume family Fabaceae, comprising several species commonly referred to as false lupines, the specific epithet macrophylla (“large‑leaved”) does not appear in authoritative taxonomic treatments such as the International Plant Names Index (IPNI), The Plant List, or recent floras covering the genus’s native ranges in North America and Eurasia.
Possible Interpretation
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Etymology: The name combines the genus Thermopsis (derived from Greek thermos “warm” and opsis “appearance”) with the Latin adjective macrophylla meaning “large‑leaved.” Such a construction suggests a plant in the Thermopsis genus characterized by relatively large foliage.
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Contextual Usage: The epithet macrophylla has been employed in botanical nomenclature for various taxa across multiple families (e.g., Rhododendron macrophylla, Acer macrophylla), typically to denote species with conspicuously large leaves. It is plausible that Thermopsis macrophylla could represent an historical synonym, a provisional name in unpublished literature, or a misapplied label for an existing Thermopsis species with larger leaves.
Conclusion
No reliable encyclopedic information is available confirming the taxonomic validity, description, distribution, or ecological characteristics of a species named Thermopsis macrophylla. Consequently, the term remains of uncertain status within the scientific literature.