How to find the valid taxon name if conflicts across standard sources?

Nature Talk
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For example Mickelopteris cordata (Heart Fern) on inaturalist has four valid names on various sources:

  1. Mickelopteris cordata on IPNI - jenkins only contributes directly on IPNI
  2. Parahemionitis arifolia on World Ferns
  3. Hemionitis arifolia on KEW POWO
  4. Parahemionitis cordata on Flora of China

there is this recent paper - Proposal to conserve the name Asplenium arifolium (Hemionitis arifolia, Parahemionitis arifolia) (Pteridaceae) with a conserved type.

Although I understand all are synonyms, there is only one valid final name that is used on iNat and so how to figure out which name won the taxonomy battles as in these? i think the question is important as i have seen people stay at genus of any of those technically valid choices based on above list but can then generate conflicts as the ID goes down to species name in any genera

i figure these conflicts are common in flora taxonomy but idk how the usual process of resolution would be as for this example.

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The Curator Guide says that POWO is the authority for all vascular plants and I don’t see ferns listed as an exception anywhere. So you should assume POWO should be followed unless a deviation has previously been decided on by curators. Perhaps consult with @choess given his efforts and thoughts on ferns in particular. Looks like WFO uses Parahemionitis arifolia.

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The “usual process” would be to flag the iNaturalist taxon and get a discussion going there (usially by @-mentioning all the apparent interested parties for the taxon in the flag’s comments). I see you have flagged your example, but you might add @-mentions to the main IDers and the curators who have worked on that taxon (see it’s History for that info) so they will notice your flag (curators are busy people!). Did you also consult the recorded deviation from POWO here?

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thanks, I see the deviation mentions reasoning on why it is not followed as POWO name but the source PPG-1 mentioned there uses Parahemionitis arifolia although this was one month before Mickelopteris cordata jenkins publication which was again rejected in 2021 paper above and going back to PPG-1 suggestion.

i will tag choess on flag there

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I am not so much in ferns but your question suggest me to wonder if POWO is good for ferns or not. In the case, is there a better alternative?
Anyway, common sense is always the better basis to start with. So, if the proposal of conservation of Asplenium arifolius is good, then a deviation could be the solution.