Taxonomic Study of the Biscutella variegata Complex (Cruciferae)
No Thumbnail Available
Files
Date
1995
Authors
Olowokudejo, J. D.
Heywood, V. H.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum, Berlin-Dahlem
Abstract
Taxonomic status and crossing relationships of the four taxa constituting the Biscutella varie- gata complex, i.e. B. variegata, B. megacarpaea, B. foliosa and B. latiorifolia, have been investigated. Herbarium specimens and natural population samples have been examined and analyzed. It is demonstrated that morphological characters vary widely both within and among populations and show considerable intergradation between the taxa. Six of 15 population samples studied, comprising 3 of the taxa, were crossed reciprocally in various combinations resulting in the production of fertile artificial hybrids. Evidence is produced to show that the B. variegata complex consists of a single, variable species, B. variegata, with 3 varieties, var. variegata, var. megacarpaea and var. foliosa, which occupy partially overlapping geographi- cal areas and can be distinguished only to some extent by their cauline leaves and fruit size. B. latiorifolia is not distinct from B. variegata var. megacarpaea and is therefore reduced to synonymy. The recent converse choice of B. megacarpaea, a name simultaneously published with B. variegata, as the name for the species to include B. variegata is shown to be ruled out by the earlier choice of B. variegata.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Olowokudejo, J. D. and Heywood, V. H. (1995). Taxonomic Study of the Biscutella variegata Complex (Cruciferae). Willdenowia 25: 25-38