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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #249830
Title: New combinations in Habranthus (Amaryllidaceae) in Mexico and Southwestern U.S.A.

Author
item FLAGG, RAYMOND - Carolina Biological Supply Company
item SMITH, GERALD - High Point University
item Meerow, Alan

Submitted to: Novon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2010
Publication Date: 3/18/2010
Citation: Flagg, R.O., Smith, G.L., Meerow, A.W. 2010. New combinations in Habranthus (Amaryllidaceae) in Mexico and Southwestern U.S.A. Novon. 20:33-34

Interpretive Summary: A hither fore undetected character of the pollen bearing structures (anthers) is shown to reliably distinguish between the ornamental flower bulb genera Habranthus and Zephyranthes. New taxonomic changes are made for several species that were incorrectly assigned to the wrong genus.

Technical Abstract: New combinations in Habranthus (Amaryllidaceae) are made for four species which were previously treated as Zephyranthes (Z. arenicola Brandegee, Z. chichimeca T.M. Howard & S. Ogden, Z. conzattii Greenm., and Z. longifolia Hemsl.) and which are endemic to Mexico and southwestern U.S.A.: Habranthus arenicola (Brandegee) Flagg, G. Lom. Sm. & Meerow, Habranthus chichimeca (T.M. Howard & S. Ogden) Flagg, G. Lom. Sm. & Meerow, Habranthus conzattii (Greenm.) Flagg, G. Lom. Sm. & Meerow and Habranthus longifolius (Hemsl.) Flagg, G. Lom. Sm. & Meerow. The mature anthers, which are more or less horizontal and usually lunate or u-shaped, readily distinguish Habranthus Herb. from Zephyranthes Herb. in which the mature anthers are vertical and relatively linear.