Oxalis Check List
Mary Sue Ittner (Tue, 15 Jun 2004 07:33:54 PDT)

Dear All,

I have just received Edition 2 of the Oxalis checklist of species with some
descriptions & cultural notes compiled by Richard Clifton of the
Geraniaceae Group (May 2004). I haven't had a chance to compare it with the
previous version, but it is 142 pages versus 119. From his notes on the
first page: "Errors are mine, unless specifically assigned, Issue Two has
more descriptions and removes spelling & some other errors I made in Issue
1; Leeane Dreyer now working with a team of students on the S. African
bulbous species has not produced her Revision at 1Dec03 but promises to
reduce the species to about 150 which would 'fit' with calculations due to
the expected number of synonyms usual in a genus."

Although Clifton would not want anyone to attempt to i.d. a plant from his
checklist, it does provide so much more information than is usually
available, tells the status (species, synonym, invalid name, etc.),
includes the specifics about the name (who, where, when), often has
information about the ecology, habitat (country, sometimes where in the
country and when it blooms), sometimes a description of as much information
as he could find, occasionally where you can find an illustration, and
finally occasionally remarks. This is a meticulous gathering together of
information. But also the writer's strong opinions and experience if he has
had it are interspersed throughout.

Mary Sue