Cenchrus articularis (Trin.) M. Tornabene & W.L. Wagner, 2013

Tornabene, Michael W. & Wagner, Warren L., 2013, New combinations for Pacific endemic species: Marquesan Poaceae, and Micronesian Myrtaceae, PhytoKeys 28, pp. 1-7 : 2-3

1. Cenchrus articularis (Trin.) M. Tornabene & W.L. Wagner comb. nov. Fig. 1

Pennisetum articulare (Basionym) Trin., Spreng. Neue Entdek. 2: 77. 1821. Type. MARQUESAS ISLANDS: Nuku Hiva. Probably Mar. 1818, [M. Wormskiold s.n.] (Holotype: LE).

Pennisetem identicum Steud. ex Jard., Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Cherbourg 5: 325. 1857. Type. MARQUESAS ISLANDS. Nuku Hiva, 1853?, D.E.S.A. Jardin 134 (Holotype: NTM?; Isotype: P[2]!).

Pennisetum simeonis F. Br., Bernice P. Bishop Mus. Bull. 84: 61. 1931. Type. MARQUESAS ISLANDS. Nuku Hiva. Coastal cliff and slopes, 10-800 m, 1922, S. Delmas s.n. (Lectotype: BISH- 92758!, designated by St. John, 1976, 418). Brown did not designate a type for this species in which he described three varieties. St. John selected the first of the three (var. intermedium) which becomes the autonym. Pennisetum simeonis var. intermedium F. Br., Bernice P. Bishop Mus. Bull. 84: 62. 1931.

Pennisetum simeonis var. pedicellatum F. Br., Bernice P. Bishop Mus. Bull. 84: 62. 1931. Type. MARQUESAS ISLANDS. Ua Huka: Open slopes and coastal cliffs, 15-1500 m, 24 Apr. 1921, F.B.H. Brown & E.D.W. Brown 360 (Holotype: BISH- 92750!).

Pennisetum simeonis var. purpureum F. Br., Bernice P. Bishop Mus. Bull. 84: 63. 1931. Type. MARQUESAS ISLANDS. Hiva Oa: Coastal cliff, dry slopes. 6-760 m, s.d., P.S. Delmas 12a (Holotype: BISH- 92751!; Isotype: US!).

Distribution.

Marquesas Islands, common on shore cliffs on the islands of Hatutaa, Nuku Hiva, Ua Huka, Hiva Oa, and Fatu Hiva, 0-900 m.

Note.

During research on the type of Pennisetum articulare Trin., an important discrepancy became apparent. The specimen has always been assumed to have been collected by Kyber who was on numerous expeditions with Ferdinand von Wrangel between 1821 and 1827 ( Wrangel and Sabine 1840; Soreng et al. 1995). This would initially appear to be supported by the information contained on the Holotype label, "Exped. Sub Navarrho F.P. de Wrangel" and a small note in illegible German script labeled Kyber, 1827. However, the species was published in 1821, at least two years prior to when Kyber was reported to have arrived in the Pacific with Von Wrangel., ( Wrangel and Sabine 1840).

After an extensive review of the relevant literature, which revealed that Ferdinand von Wrangel was in the Marquesas Islands in mid-March 1818 with the Danish botanist Marten Wormskjold ( Golvonin 1979), we have concluded that Marten Wormskjold likely collected the specimens during this time, leaving his collections with Von Wrangel to be delivered to Trinius for identification. This theory is substantiated by the fact the all of the writing on the original label is Trinius’ handwriting, except for Kyber’s note. Subsequently the specimen was believed to have been returned to Von Wrangel providing the opportunity in 1827 for Dr. Kyber, the previously presumed collector, to examine the specimen and make additional notes.

Figures

Figure 1. Cenchrus articularis (Trin.) M. Tornabene & W. L. Wagner A Habit, Perlman 10069 (US) B Ligule, Wood 10133 (US) C Ligule, Florence 9421 (US) D Spikelet with one floret, Wood 10112 (US) E Spikelet with two florets, Wood 10112 (US). Illustration by Alice Tangerini.