Updated Narcissus section on the wiki

Jim McKenney jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com
Fri, 21 Jan 2011 13:11:54 PST
Thanks, Mike, for taking the time to do the updates, and thanks Jim, for
posting the correct link. 

 

I was disappointed to see so many subdivisions of the species used in the
Narcissus list. Do all of the names cited really correspond to distinct,
sexually reproducing populations in nature? 

 

If the basis of modern species concept is the interbreeding population, and
if the proper focus of the taxonomist is that interbreeding population,  it
seems to me that the continued subdivision of the species into smaller units
such as the subspecies, variety and form only continues the muddied taxonomy
of the past. What sense does it make to have an interbreeding population
itself within another interbreeding population itself within yet another
larger interbreeding population? 

 

I’m still waiting for a truly modern treatment of the genus Narcissus. 

 

Jim McKenney

jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com

Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, 39.03871º North, 77.09829º West, USDA zone
7

My Virtual Maryland Garden http://www.jimmckenney.com/

BLOG! http://mcwort.blogspot.com/

 

Webmaster Potomac Valley Chapter, NARGS 

Editor PVC Bulletin http://www.pvcnargs.org/ 

 

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