THE IDENTITY OF STIPA COLUMBIANA MACOUN AND S. VIRIDULA VAR. MINOR VASEY (GRAMINEAE, STIPEAE): A REBUTTAL

Summary The characteristics of the lectotype of Stipa columbiana Macoun are reviewed in detail and shown to include those generally considered diagnostic of the species S. lemmonii (Vasey) Scribner but not those diagnostic of S. columbiana auct. Thus the name S. columbiana Macoun must either be rejected, as proposed earlier or, because it has priority, applied to the species now known as S. lemmonii. The characteristics of the lectotype of S. viridula var. minor Vasey, which is the basionym of S. occidentalis var. minor (Vasey) C. L. Hitchc., are also reviewed and shown to demonstrate that the specimen belongs to S. lettermanii Vasey, not S. columbiana auct.