var. or f.

[Richard Jensen]

I think Stuessy (1990; Plant Taxonomy; Columbia University Press) provides a
reasonable view of how to deal with these.

Dick J.

Dirk Albach wrote:

> Dear colleagues,
>
> a colleague and I just discussed possible definitions of the ranks of
> variety and forma. It is difficult to find exact definitions of these and
> those that can be found are contradictory, especially as there seem to have
> been different traditions in the Anglosaxon and the continental European
> communities. This concerns especially the questions a) how to treat
> single-allele mutants (e.g. flower color) and b) whether ecological
> modifications should be recognized at the rank of forma or even variety. I
> would be interested in your definitions – either published or personal
> opinion.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Dirk
>
> --
> Dr. Dirk Albach
> Institut für Spezielle Botanik
> Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
> Bentzelweg 9b
> 55099 Mainz
>
> Tel.: +49 (0)6131 3923169
> Fax.: +49 (0)6131 3923524

--
Richard J. Jensen              | tel: 574-284-4674
Department of Biology      | fax: 574-284-4716
Saint Mary's College         | e-mail: rjensen at saintmarys.edu
Notre Dame, IN 46556    | http://www.saintmarys.edu/~rjensen