Kalanchoe miniata, , Perrier de la Bathie, 1924

Smith, Gideon F. & Shtein, Ronen, 2021, Nomenclature and taxonomic placement of the infraspecific taxa recognised in the Malagasy Kalanchoe miniata (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae) by Perrier de la Bâthie and Boiteau and Mannoni in the 20 century, Phytotaxa 514 (2), pp. 118-128 : 120

Nomenclature of Kalanchoe miniata of Perrier de la Bâthie (1928)

Four years after having recognised five races in K. miniata, Perrier de la Bâthie (1928: 18–20) described a further four varieties under the species. He stated ( Perrier de la Bâthie 1928: 19; translated from the original French): “We have previously described four varieties or local races of this species (cf. Bulletin Acad. Malgache, Nelle série, VI, 1922– 1923, published in 1924). The most distinct of these varieties, is the race [K.] andringitrensis whose stem is tetragonal [in cross section], which determines the formation, between the ends of the leaf scars which do not join completely, of a small spiniform point, more prominent than in the other varieties. The new varieties that we describe below are especially interesting because they seem to link K. miniata to K. aliciae R.Hamet , two species, however, very distinct at first glance. To characterise these new varieties, we will not use relative sizes of stamens, carpels and styles, since these plants, like almost all kalanchoes, have short- or long-style forms, in which the sizes vary considerably.”

In the running text in Perrier de la Bâthie (1928: 18) he used the ranks “race” and “variety” interchangeably (see text quoted and translated above), but where he formally described the four novel taxa he clearly referred to them as varieties. Perrier de la Bâthie (1928: 18–20) therefore validly published names for the following additional varieties, i.e., not ‘races’, he recognised in K. miniata :

1. K. miniata var. decaryana Perrier de la Bâthie (1928: 19) ;

2. K. miniata var. anjirensis Perrier de la Bâthie (1928: 19) ;

3. K. miniata var. glandulosa Perrier de la Bâthie (1928: 19) ; and

4. K. miniata var. tsinjoarivensis Perrier de la Bâthie (1928: 20) .

Moreover, in writing “La plus distincte de ces variétés, est la race andringitrensis ” [English: “The most distinct of these varieties, is the race andringitrensis ”], Perrier de la Bathie (1928: 19) validly published the new combination K. miniata var. andringitrensis ( Perrier de la Bâthie 1924: 22) Perrier de la Bâthie (1928: 19) based on K. miniata ‘race’ andringitrensis Perrier de la Bâthie (1924: 22), therefore yielding:

5. K. miniata var. andringitrensis ( Perrier de la Bâthie 1924: 22) Perrier de la Bâthie (1928: 19) ( Figs 2 and 3 ).

Note that at this point Perrier de la Bâthie (1928: 18) included K. subpeltata in the synonymy of K. miniata , rather than recognising it as a ‘race’, or variety for that matter, under this species, as he had done in 1924.

Figures

FIGURE 2. A. A form of Kalanchoe miniata var. andringitrensis with distinctly peltate leaves and a conspicuously quadrangular stem. Kalanchoe miniata var. andringitrensis. B. Inflorescence. C. View of the mouth of the flower. Photographs: A. Patrizia Simbola, B, C. Ronen Shtein.

FIGURE 3. Two further forms of Kalanchoe miniata var. andringitrensis. A. A form with rounded, cordate leaves and a quadrangular stem. Insert: Lateral view of flowers of plant inA. B.A form with oblong, peltate leaves and a mostly subcylindrical stem. C. Inflorescence (insert) and view of the mouth of the flower of the plant in B. Photographs: Ronen Shtein.