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

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