Dichelostemma--TOW
Nolo Contendre (Mon, 26 May 2003 21:58:57 PDT)

Mark:

Try these. Looks can be deceiving.

Alan

J. Chris Pires and Kenneth J. Sytsma
A phylogenetic evaluation of a biosystematic framework: Brodiaea and related
petaloid monocots (Themidaceae)
Am. J. Bot. 2002 89: 1342-1359.

Paula J. Rudall, Richard M. Bateman, Michael F. Fay, and Alison Eastman
Floral anatomy and systematics of Alliaceae with particular reference to
Gilliesia, a presumed insect mimic with strongly zygomorphic flowers
Am. J. Bot. 2002 89: 1867-1883.

Alan W. Meerow, Michael F. Fay, Charles L Guy, Qin-Bao Li, Faridah Q Zaman,
and Mark W. Chase
Systematics of Amaryllidaceae based on cladistic analysis of plastid
sequence data
Am. J. Bot. 1999 86: 1325-1345.

Fay, M. F., and M. W. Chase. 1996. Resurrection of Themidaceae for the
Brodiaea alliance, and recircumscription of Alliaceae, Amaryllidaceae and
Agapanthoideae. Taxon 45: 441-451
----- Original Message -----
From: <Antennaria@aol.com>
To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, May 26, 2003 11:16 PM
Subject: Re: [pbs] Dichelostemma--TOW

This genus [Dichelostemma] has been
considered to be a part of many different families including Alliaceae. In
The Jepson Manual (1993) it was classified in Liliaceae. Recent work is

now

placing it in a new family, Themidaceae, which includes other California
genera (Androstephium, Bloomeria, Brodiaea, Muilla, and Triteleia.)

Can somebody cite a definitive technical paper that defines the boundaries

of

Themidaceae. I'm aware of the existance of this new family, particularly

in

regard to pulling Triteleia and Brodiaea out of Alliaceae, but this is the
first I've heard that Muilla is also swallowed up by Themidaceae. What

are the

defining characteristics that separate the Themidaceae from Alliaceae? I

need

to be convinced, because the evidence I've evaluated thus far seems less

than

convincing (regarding the very existance of Themidaceae). Regarding

Muilla,

this is an anagram of Allium (of which there are several) to describe a

closely

allied genus (Muilla is Allium backwards). So it's ironic indeed, that

such

an ally is moved out of Alliaceae, don't you think?

Mark McDonough Pepperell, Massachusetts, United States
antennaria@aol.com "New England" USDA Zone 5
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