Names and Types in Cortaderia Stapf (Gramineae)

Abstract

SummaryAll valid names in Cortaderia Stapf (nom. cons.) are typified and recent treatments of the genus are substantially upheld. Taxa in Section Cortaderia are more precisely defined with no major nomenclatural changes except that C. jubata (Lem.) Stapf is regarded as the valid name for plants formerly known as “C. quila (Nees) Stapf”. In Section Bifida, C. aristata and C. trianae are regarded as synonyms of C. bifida, and C. sodiroana as synonymous with C. nitida; C. minima is regarded as a synonym of C. pilosa. The new combination C. archboldii (Hitchcock) Connor and Edgar is based on Danthonia archboldii from New Guinea. The genus is gynodioecious though in some species of Section Cortaderia only female plants are found.

Triterpene methyl ethers in some South American species ofCortaderia(Gramineae)

“…One result is contrary to the earlier report of Martin- Smith et al (1967) that the plants referred to as C. atacamensis did not synthesise triterpene methyl ethers; these plants. which should be known as C. jubala (see Connor & Edgar 1974). in fact synthesise arundoin and cylindrin.…”

Apomixis inCortaderia jubata(Gramineae)

“…At present it can only be supposed that gynodioecism, which is prevalent in the genus, has been followed by the suppression of hermaphrodite plants (Connor 1974) accompanied by the adoption of a somatic form of apomixis. But even after this stage considerable further evolution must have occurred, advancing embryogenesis to precede panicle emergence, and replacing dependence on pollination for endosperm development by an autonomous mechanism -a particular combination of characters which are unique in the Gramineae.…”

“…The sexual species used for comparative purposes Were the New Zealand species C. lulvida, C. richardii, C. splendens, and C. toeloe, and the South American C. araucana and C. selloana and an F. hybrid between them. Nomenclature follows Connor & Edgar (1974).…”

“…Observations of Connor (1965Connor ( , 1974 have indicated that several species of South American pampas grasses (Cortaderia), including C. jl/bata (Lem.) Stapf, are obligate apomicts.…”

Shoot properties of nine species ofChionochloaZotov (Gramineae)

“…The possession of blades that break off at the Iigular region, leaving persistent sheaths, also characterises some other species of CliionocMoa, Poa colerlsoi, Aristida cyanant"a (Arber 1934), and Cartaderia arc"boldii (Connor & Edgar 1974), but does not appear to be a very common feature of grasses. Its evolutionary significance is not known.…”