Convallaria has from one to three or more species, depending on the authority. eFloras Flora of North America (FNA) provides a very good summary.
http://www.efloras.org/florata...
"As described here, Convallaria may be viewed as monotypic with three (or more) isolated infraspecific taxa, or else as three morphologically similar but isolated species..."
There is further debate as to whether or not the North American taxa is native or naturalized (European taxa) even though it goes dormant in late summer as opposed to as the result of frost and other, greater similarity to the Asian taxa.
Three species vs. three varieties (infraspecific taxa) as follows, I'll leave out synonyms for clarity:
1. Convallaria majalis (European LOV) vs. Convallaria majalis var. majalis.
2. Convallaria montana (American LOV) vs. Convallaria majalis var. montana.
3. Convallaria keiskei (Asian LOV) vs. Convallaria majalis var. keiskei.
The Plant List, referencing Kew WCSP, accepts three isolated species.
http://www.theplantlist.org/tp...,
http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/accep...
http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/accep...
http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/accep...
1. Convallaria majalis
2. Convallaria montana
3. Convallaria keiskei
ITIS, referencing Liliaceae s.l. of North America Update, database (version 2010), appears to accept the infraspecific taxa but with the exception of not addressing the Asian species.
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/Si...
1. Convallaria majalis var. majalis
2. Convallaria majalis var. montana
3. Convallaria majalis. IF they consider 1 and 2 above to be infraspecific taxa in agreement with the description on FNA, then C. majalis is a species wholly represented by the varieties. ie. the non-variety species form does not exist.
The reference material noted on ITIS appears to be more recent than that noted on Kew. If we use ITIS, then I feel we should maintain the infraspecific taxa approach which includes Convallaria majalis var. keiskei.
Here are the 2 approaches with synonyms:
A. Species approach:
1. Convallaria majalis, syn. Convallaria majalis var. majalis.
2. Convallaria montana, syn. Convallaria majalis var. montana, Convallaria majuscula.
3. Convallaria keiskei, syn. Convallaria majalis var. keiskei.
B. Infraspecific taxa approach:
1. Convallaria majalis var. majalis
2. Convallaria majalis var. montana, syn. Convallaria montana, Convallaria majuscula
3. Convallaria majalis var. keiskei, syn. Convallaria keiskei
By using the species approach as found on The Plant List/Kew, whether outdated or not, species and synonyms are represented from an authoritative source and
clearly. If we use ITIS then both Convallaria majalis and Convallaria majalis var. majalis must be included and they both refer to the same plant. Also Convallaria keiskei would be included as The Plant list is the only other reference.
ANY comments, pro or con, would be appreciated!
