Fosterella weddelliana (Brongn. ex Baker) L.B.Sm.
Literature references:
Comments:
- Brongniart ex Baker, in describing Cottendorfia weddelliana, cited two specimens, Weddell 4233 and Rusby 2541, but did not choose a holotype. One of these specimens, Rusby 2541, was chosen as the type for the new described species Cottendorfia rusbyi by Baker (1902). Consequently, Smith & Downs (1974) named Weddell 4233 (P) as the holotype of Fosterella weddelliana. However, in accordance with the ICBN (2005), it appears more appropriate to be considered as lectotype. Fosterella weddelliana was difficult to interpret because of its very fragmentary type material and therefore misleading original description. The plant was considered to be acaulescent by Baker (1889), a character that has never been questioned, neither by Smith & Downs (1974) nor by Smith & Read (1992), nor by Read in his unpublished key from the 1990s. In the course of the recent molecular studies at first we became confused about the identity of both F. weddelliana and F. nowickii. By carefully com194 SELBYANA Volume 29(2) 2008 paring the leaves, the inflorescence and the flowers of the type material, we came to the conclusion that F. nowickii can not be separated from F. weddelliana. Therefore, here it is reduced to synonymy of F. weddelliana, which is clearly caulescent with flowering plants reaching heights of up to 150 cm. It tends to form large mats covering steep slopes. —See Peters 2009 p. 29(2):923
