Dear Rodger; You got me! I do not know Veriolitsis and thus neither of the species. What is this genus? It is not listed in the new RHS Dictionary, or Grays Manual of Botany but I must admit I did not check any other of my books. I would be interested to know. What "chemistry-maddened" botanist, your expression and an expression that deserves wider distribution, identified it, if it is a plant? Such identification, i.e. only by molecular characteristics, might well come into play with many "known" plants if we desert morphology, perish the thought. Cheers, John E. Bryan Rodger Whitlock wrote: > > On 7 Jul 05 at 9:14, John Bryan wrote: > > > For what it is worth, my opinion is that molecular differences > > should NOT trump floral form. > > On further reflection: > > The real problem occurs if two species, say /Veriolitsis > glomulama/ and /V. sphćrioideastrum/ can only be distinguished > via molecular characteristics. It then becomes impossible for > anyone outside a properly equipped laboratory to distinguish > these species. > > Rearranging the taxonomic hierarchy on the basis of molecular > evidence does not present the same problem as long as some > chemistry-maddened botanist doesn't write a key that depends on > the chemistry. It would still be possible to slot a given plant > into the hierarchy on the basis of macroscopic features, since > keys don't necessarily follow the taxonomic hierarchy. > > On yet more reflection: already chemistry must be used to > identify some plants. Fungi present an example. The famous > book on hallucinogenic and poisonous mushrooms makes certain > distinctions on the basis of chemistry, though it's simple > chemistry that can be done in the field if you carry along a > few reagents -- color reaction stuff. > > -- > Rodger Whitlock > Victoria, British Columbia, Canada > Maritime Zone 8, a cool Mediterranean climate > > on beautiful Vancouver Island > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php