Echinochloa colona versus" Echinochloa colonum" (Poaceae)

Abstract

Confusion in current botanical literature about the correct spelling of the specific epithet of the important crop weed referred to as either Echinochloa colona or E. colonum is resolved in favour of E. colona. The use of " colonus " as an adjective is not found in classical Latin dictionaries published since the latter part of the 19th century but is found in dictionaries, listed here, published between the late 17th and early 19th centuries. Linnaeus and other early botanists were quite in order to adopt " colonus " as an adjective and decline it according to the gender of the generic name, as in Panicum colonum L. and Echinochloa colona (L.) Link.