PreprintArticleVersion 1Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed
‘Cistanthe sp. subsp. Subspeciosa,’ a Specioid from the Atacama Desert, with Comments on the Taxonomy, Ecology, and Evolution of Cistanthe sect. Cistanthe (Montiaceae)
Version 1
: Received: 29 April 2019 / Approved: 30 April 2019 / Online: 30 April 2019 (11:22:17 CEST)
Version 2
: Received: 3 May 2019 / Approved: 6 May 2019 / Online: 6 May 2019 (09:37:06 CEST)
How to cite:
Hershkovitz, M. ‘Cistanthe sp. subsp. Subspeciosa,’ a Specioid from the Atacama Desert, with Comments on the Taxonomy, Ecology, and Evolution of Cistanthe sect. Cistanthe (Montiaceae). Preprints2019, 2019040329. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201904.0329.v1.
Hershkovitz, M. ‘Cistanthe sp. subsp. Subspeciosa,’ a Specioid from the Atacama Desert, with Comments on the Taxonomy, Ecology, and Evolution of Cistanthe sect. Cistanthe (Montiaceae). Preprints 2019, 2019040329. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201904.0329.v1.
Cite as:
Hershkovitz, M. ‘Cistanthe sp. subsp. Subspeciosa,’ a Specioid from the Atacama Desert, with Comments on the Taxonomy, Ecology, and Evolution of Cistanthe sect. Cistanthe (Montiaceae). Preprints2019, 2019040329. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201904.0329.v1.
Hershkovitz, M. ‘Cistanthe sp. subsp. Subspeciosa,’ a Specioid from the Atacama Desert, with Comments on the Taxonomy, Ecology, and Evolution of Cistanthe sect. Cistanthe (Montiaceae). Preprints 2019, 2019040329. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201904.0329.v1.
Abstract
Cistanthe subspeciosa Hershk. (Cistanthe Spach sect. Cistanthe; Montiaceae) here is described as a herbaceous to suffruticose perennial from the vicinity of Copiapó, Chile. Its epithet is juxtaposed with its rank in order to highlight its subspecific aesthetic. In particular, the specioid is infrequent, locally restricted, and lacks unique diagnostic traits. Rather, it is diagnosed by a combination of traits characteristic of different Cistanthe species from the region, none of which can be identified as the referential species to which Cs. subspeciosa might be considered subspecific. The intersection between species nomenclature and species ontology thus is discussed. I hypothesize that Cs. subspeciosa is irrigated primarily by mountain runoff rather than localized precipitation, and that it might be both resistant to and dependent upon high substrate metal concentrations characteristic of the Copiapó region. The ornamental value of this and other Cistanthe species is discussed. Finally, additional historical details pertaining to Calandrinia spectabilis Otto & Dietr. and Cistanthe philhershkovitziana are provided.
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Commenter:
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Type of Monnina subspeciosa Chodat [family POLYGALACEAE]
Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K), K000263904