Status of a Limonium binervosum agg. segregant in an Anglesey saltmarsh

E Ivor S Rees

doi:10.33928/bib.2022.04.001

Abstract

A distinctive segregant of Limonium binervosum agg. (Plumbaginaceae) has been known in sandy saltmarshes near Rhosneigr on the west coast of Anglesey v.c.52, Wales since at least 2006. Based on morphological characters it belongs in the L. recurvum (sensu lato) part of the aggregate, but it differs from the only L. recurvum subspecies previously confirmed as present on Irish Sea coasts, L. recurvum subsp. humile (Girard) Ingrouille. This was renamed L. naniforme (Ingr) Sell due to Sell & MurrelL (2018), treating the subspecies of L. binervosum agg. as full species. If a consensus adopts this approach, it leaves the Anglesey L. recurvum (sensu lato) segregant without a valid name. Under the hierarchical system propounded by Ingrouille & Stace (1986), the Anglesey plants are named here as L. recurvum subsp. crigyllensis I. Rees subsp. nov (Crigyll sea-lavender). When or if the Sell & Murrell approach is generally adopted the subspecies name can become the new species name.

Highlights

An added reason for caution was that the micro-taxa of L. binervosum agg. are agamospermous, often resulting in the development of local micro-endemic forms
The nearest records to Anglesey shown in the BSBI database of any of the named L. recurvum micro-taxa, were of L. recurvum subsp. humile (Girard) Ingrouille
The lateral veins are very faint and not visible at all on many leaves. In this the Crigyll plants diverge from the description given by Ingrouille & Stace (1986) for the species L. recurvum, as characteristically having “3 obvious parallel veins”. They more closely fit the descriptions by Sell & Murrell (2018) for the West of Ireland and North Irish Sea taxa which had been treated as subspecies and varieties of L. recurvum by Ingrouille & Stace (1986)

Summary

Introduction

A Rock Sea-lavender Limonium binervosum agg. (G.E. Sm) C.E. The nearest records to Anglesey shown in the BSBI database of any of the named L. recurvum micro-taxa (sensu Ingrouille & Stace, 1986), were of L. recurvum subsp. Characteristics The Crigyll Estuary rough (verrucose) scape plants, named here as L. recurvum subsp.

Results

Conclusion