Phragmites in Crete, Cenchrus frutescens, and the nomenclature of the common reed (Gramineae)

Abstract

Summary Greuter, W. & Scholz, H.: Phragmites in Crete, Cenchrus frutescens, and the nomenclature of the common reed (Gramineae). – Taxon 45: 521‐523. 1996. – ISSN 0040‐0262. Phragmites is represented by two taxa on the S. Aegean island of Crete (Greece), one of which corresponds to the cosmopolitan common reed, P. australis. The other deviates in several features and is here described and named as a new species, P. frutescens H. Scholz; it has been studied in the wild and was found to have a peculiar, frutescent, branched habit, to produce inflorescences only occasionally, and never fertile flowers; reproduction appears to take place only vegetatively, by stolons and by leafy propagules replacing the flowers. The Cretan reed has been taxonomically equated by some authors with a doubtful Linnean species, Cenchrus frutescens, and the latter name has been recently proposed for rejection so as to prevent displacement of P. australis by the older supposed synonym. Although one of the original elements of C. frutescens arguably belongs to P. frutescens, it is an old illustration that cannot be interpreted with ultimate certainty; furthermore it is in major conflict with the remainder of the protologue. Choice of the epithet frutescens for the new species eliminates future uncertainty and makes the proposal to reject C. frutescens unnecessary. Those who (like one of the authors) are unconvinced of the specific distinctness of the Cretan reed are free to treat it at an appropriate infraspecific level under P. australis.

A revision of <I>Cenchrus</I> incl. <I>Pennisetum</I> (<I>Gramineae</I>) in Malesia with some general nomenclatural notes

“…I agree with Greuter & Scholz's (1996) suggestion that this is Crypsis aculeatus (L.) Aiton, based on Schoenus aculeatus L. (1753: 42. Cyperaceae!…”

“…Clayton & Renvoize 1986, Soreng & Pennington 2003. Greuter & Scholz (1996) saw this microfiche. They said that on the label 'orientalis' is crossed out and replaced by 'armeniaca'.…”

“…Remarkably, Greuter & Scholz (1996) cited Sieber's paper, but did not comment on this statement, a kind of lectotypification.…”

“…He therefore proposed C. frutescens as a nomen utique rejiciendum to avoid a new combination for the Common reed. b a Greuter & Scholz (1996) refrained from lectotypifying C. frute scens L., instead they played what is unofficially known as " Mabberley's Trick" (Geesink ex Mabberley 2004) and described a new species, Phragmites frutescens H.Scholz, thereby effectively blocking any later combination in Phragmites for C. frutescens. As a result Turland's proposal was not recommended by the Nomenclatural Committee (Brummitt 1998).…”

“…In this way there is no reason for any renaming and Turland's proposal was unnecessary as well as Greuter & Scholz's (1996) juggling act.…”