Oryza coarctata: the name that best reflects the relationships of Porteresia coarctata (Poaceae: Oryzeae)

Abstract

Oryza coarctata is a herbaceous species that serves as an important source of germplasm for salt tolerance in rice breeding. Despite biosystematic and phylogenetic studies showing that its closest relatives are other species of Oryza, many taxonomists continue to place it in the monospecific genus Porteresia because it is morphologically and ecologically distinct from other species of Ova. Such a treatment obscures the reality of its genetic similarities to Oryza. The authors strongly recommend returning this species to Oryza. This will have the added advantage of ensuring that all those reading about the species will immediately understand its importance to rice breeding.