Félix Muñoz Garmendia

The Genus Sorbus (Maloideae, Rosaceae) in Europe and in North Africa: Morphological Analysis and Systematics

A multivariate morphometric study of the genus Sorbus, from 127 herbarium specimens in Europe and North Africa and nine populations in Spain, shows that twelve species may be easily recognized in the area: S. torminalis, S. latifolia, S. semiincisa, S. aria, S. intermedia, S. minima, S. sudetica, S. chamaemespilus, S. aucuparia, S. hybrida, S. meinichii and S. domestica. Twenty-seven described taxa were very difficult to dis- criminate using the standard morphological and statistical methods. Some useful characters are: petiole length, leaf-nerve angle, leaf-tooth length, bud and seed shape, fruit structure, presence of tanniferous-cell groups, large sclereids and starch grains in the fruit. The fruit of S. torminalis has a multi-layered cuticle, not previously reported in Sorbus. We detected tetraploidy in S. torminalis and two other sexuals: S. aria and S. chamaemespilus. The geography and the population structure of taxa in S and C Europe does not permit their reproductive isolation; hence a large number of intermediate forms occur. Considering the difficulty in assess- ing the reproductive isolation of microspecies and in differentiating them morphologically, the use of a taxo- nomic species concept is proposed in Sorbus. Finally, a key to the species is provided.

Neotypification of the Name Geum pyrenaicum (Rosaceae)

There is no extant original material for Geum pyrenaicum Mill., a name sometimes attributed to Willdenow. Although the name has often been misapplied to the hybrid G. montanum x G. rivale by Central European authors in the past, and may have been so used by both Miller and Willdenow, its universal use for a Pyrenean-Cantabrian endemic for 150 years makes it advisable to fix that application by designation of an appropriate neotype.

A New Name in Geranium (Geraniaceae) for the Flora of China

A new name, Geranium tanii Aedo & Mufioz Garmendia, is proposed for the illegitimate later homonym Geranium trifoliatum Z. M. Tan. While preparing an index of specific names in Geranium, we encountered a problem concerning nomenclature of the Chinese G. trifoliatum recently described by Tan (1990). Andrews (1805-1806) used this epithet for a South African Geranium now recognized as Pelargonium trifoliatum (Andrews) Sweet (Sweet, 1826). According to Article 53.1 of the Tokyo Code, Tans name is illegitimate due to later homonymy. Thus, the following name change is n cessary. Geranium tanii Aedo & Mufioz Garmendia, nom. nov. Replaced name: Geranium trifoliatum Z. M. Tan, in Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin 14(3): 231. 1990, nom. illeg. Not Andrews (1805). Literature Cited Andrews, H. C. 1805-1806. Geraniums: A Monograph of the Genus Geranium, Vol. 2. Unnumbered plates in alphabetical order. London. Sweet, R. 1824-1826. Geraniaceae, 3. London. Tan, Zhong Ming. 1990. Two new species of Geranium from Sichuan. Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin 14(3): 231-235.