Re: Intro. to David McConachie

Jan Schlauer (zxmsl01@studserv.zdv.uni-tuebingen.de)
Tue, 6 Apr 93 10:10:42 +0200

David,
_D.spatulata_ is one of the most polymorphic taxa in that (already sufficient-
ly polymorphic) genus. Maybe, at first glance some population seems to differ
significantly from the bulk of variants (validly described or not). But make
sure you have really seen the whole range of variation in the immense range of
this species previous to splitting off any taxon. Anyway, the whole *species*
would need a thorough revision rather than just local splitoffs. Our Japanese
colleagues have just managed to dispose off the so-called _ssp.tokaiensis_.
It is very probable that this is not a _ssp._ of _D.spatulata_ but rather the
hybrid _D.rotundifolia_ * _D.spatulata_. Thus, no infraspecific taxa and no
closely related species can be accepted at the moment (at least by me).
It is however very likely that I'd change my mind when we had a fine revision
covering *all* of the geographical and morphological variants...
Kind regards
Jan