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Re: [SANS] S. socotra and S. transvaalensis

Dear Carolyn,

You have deduced correctly that both are fictitious names. It is a sad fact
of horticulture that commercial growers and hobbyists are quick to coin new
names for unidentified plants. Coining cultivar names for favorite clones
is all right but phony Latinized species names is another matter
altogether. At least, in forums such as this one, the valid names of these
mysterious plants can be discussed once they are found out. It makes it all
the more important to record and maintain collection data on the plants so
one can easily match up plants and names.

Sansevieria "Socotra" is actually a member of the
Sans.subspicata-Sans.concinna complex from Mozambique. John Lavranos who
has collected extensively on Socotra says that no Sansevierias are found on
Socotra, according to Grigsby (1987). Grigsby (1987) refers the collection
to Lavranos 309 but Chahinian (1992) did more extensive research on the
problem and states that the collection is actually Lavranos 5949 from north
of Massinga, Mozambique.

Chahinian, B.J. (1992) SANSEVIERIA CASE REOPENED. The Sansevieria Journal 1
(1): 7-9, 3 figs.

Grigsby, D. (1987) SANSEVIERIA LOST AND FOUND? Cact. & Succ. Journ. Amer.
59 (2): 43, 1 fig.

It is curious that the invalid "Sansevieria transvaalensis" should be the
same as Sansevieria parva N.E. Brown from Kenya. Perhaps the plant came
from the National Botanical Garden in Pretoria in the former Transvaal. A
similar misnaming occurred with a species of Gasteria. The name
"Sans.dambilonensis" is also referable to Sans.parva.

There are a number of invalid Sansevieria names listed with illustrations
in Morgenstern, K.D. (1979) SANSEVIERIAS that are referable to validly
named species. I have seen the book once and made a few quick notes but
have been unable to investigate further.

Cereusly Steve

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

•Subject: S. socotra and S. transvaalensis
•From: Unruh <unrulies@SIERRA.PSNW.COM>
•Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 22:19:31 -0700

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Hi, all,

Since I am new to the list, I hope I'll be forgiven for asking what
surely must be redundant questions.  I found Steve's wonderful
"Informal  Species List" in the Mallorn archives, and am furiously
making notes.  However, I don't see S. socotra or S. transvaalensis
mentioned anywhere on that list.  Haven't had time to look at all the
archived stuff yet.

Am I correct in guessing that these are incorrect names?  I inferred
that S. socotra may be another name for S. subspicata--i.e. one of the
specimens that Lavranos never actually collected in Socotra.  And just
looking at S. transvaalensis leads me to believe that it is S. parva
under an assumed name.

Can someone help me unravel this?  I appreciate any help I can get.
Thanks much.

Carolyn
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