Dear Rashida ji, its a difficult question to give a straight forward answer,
so...let me try!
Its all part of taxonomy and nomenclature! It shows the different level
of our understanding about taxa at different periods of time. It also
illustrates the complexity of the group with diverse habit/morphology within
this group.
The names mentioned by you were published during 1860s when the
understanding about the genus was completely different. Due to some common
feature, for e.g. 'phyllanthoid branching' several different species were
treated under the genus Phyllanthus even they are morphologically very
different. However recent molecular phylogenetic studies helped us to
understand the possible relationship between different taxa and thus their
improved taxonomic treatment. The taxon namely Phyllanthus malabaricus (for
e.g.) was considered a species under Phyllanthus by Mueller who described
the plant during 1865. But the latest revisioners (Webster, Govaerts etc.)
realized that this plant has more affinity with and having similar
morphological characters (also pollen morphology) to Glochidion and
further realized that it is nothing but one of the several forms/variations
of an existing species G. ellipticum described by Beddome, in this case.
Hence the name Phyllanthus malabaricus has become a taxonomic synonym (based
on different Type) to Glochidion ellipticum.
Fact: 1. Genera like Phyllanthus, Glochidion, Flueggea, Berynia,
Sauropus etc come under same tribe - Phyllantheae (these are closely
related).
Fact: 2. Several species, treated earlier under different genera
(as much as 55 genera) are currently treated under the genus Phyllanthus
http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/genus.pl?9303), an another
development of taxonomic research!]
To put it in a simple way, in the present case, Mueller misidentified his
collection and published as a new species under wrong genus! However, we
should remember that one-and-a-half centuries ago, there was not much
information technology, communication etc. and a botanist at one corner of
world had less chance to know the happenings of taxonomic research
development at the other corner. We are now in a far better environment,
wherein we can access the information real time, across the globe!!!
Hope i have not confused you so much!
Also pl read:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllanthus,
2. http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/full/93/4/637 ,
3. http://www.jstor.org/pss/3393263,
4.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WNH-4FB9GV7-2&_user=10&_coverDate=07%2F31%2F2005&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=3c24004327c5fc874aa73aa8bf0d85d5
With regards
R. Vijayasankar
On Fri, Jun 18, 2010 at 4:43 AM, Rashida Atthar <[email protected]>wrote:
> Thank you Dr. Vijayasankar ji for this simple and easy to understand
> effort.
>
> I was checking the Kew herbarium for Glochidion and Caesaria plant, to my
> surprise I got several herbarium specimens for Glochidion ellipticum with
> type specimen name mentioned as Phyllantuhs diversifolius in one and in
> another as Phyllanthus malabaricus, why is this so ? would request you to
> enlighten us on this please. Thank you.
>
> regards,
> Rashida.
>
> at 6:09 PM, tanay bose <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> This will also help to identify the plants in future.
>> Tanay
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Jun 17, 2010 at 1:13 PM, Dinesh Valke <[email protected]>wrote:
>>
>>> Dear Vijayasankar ji and friends, ... very busy at office front
>>> currently; the work would return to normalcy by this month-end.
>>> ... 50 species of *Phyllanthus* in India ... oh !! that is huge
>>> collection we have.
>>>
>>> Regards.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Jun 17, 2010 at 10:54 AM, R. Vijayasankar <
>>> [email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Dear all,
>>>>
>>>> Following Gurcharan ji's key to species of *Solanum* (40 species in
>>>> India), I have tried to prepare a simple key to identify species of *
>>>> Phyllanthus* (pl see attached pdf file) by using simple exomorphic
>>>> characters. To start with i have included only species which are collected
>>>> from my study area (Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu). I think it includes most
>>>> of the species discussed earlier in this group. But, there are about 50
>>>> species of Phyllanthus in India. So, we need more pictures (Dinesh ji,
>>>> where
>>>> are you?!!) and information on other species too, to make it complete. I am
>>>> working on description and other aspects of these taxa, in line with our
>>>> (ambitious) 'eflora of India' programme.
>>>>
>>>> With regards
>>>>
>>>> R. Vijayasankar
>>>>
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>>>
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>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Tanay Bose
>> +91(033) 25550676 (Resi)
>> 9830439691(Mobile)
>>
>>
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