Plant Science Bulletin 58(3) 2012 ROMANCHENKO, K., P. M. PETERSON, R. J. SORENG, M. GARCIA-JACAS, and A. SUSANNA. 2010. Phylogenetics of Stipeae (Poaceae: Pooideae) based on plastid and nuclear DNA sequences. In O. Seberg, G. Petersen, A. S. Barfod, and J. Davis (eds.), Diversity, Phylogeny, and Evolution in Monocotyledons, 511–537. Aarhus University Press, Aarhus, Denmark. –Marcel Rejmánek, University of California, Davis, California, USA
Peonies of the World: Polymorphism and Diversity
voucher specimens for every photograph, including full label data and herbaria of deposit. The treatments all include place of publication of accepted names, but not for names cited in synonymy—one assumes these are given in the first volume of the series. Likewise, no type specimens are cited, though they doubtless were earlier. The work concludes with a thorough taxonomic index. There is no Literature Cited, because the only citations are those accompanying the accepted names. Professor Hong was a co-author of the treatment for Flora of China (volume 6, 2001). In an introductory remark in that volume, it was observed that “Paeonia is a very complex genus and many of the species are not yet well defined. A consistent taxonomic treatment will require further studies throughout the world distribution of the genus in order to resolve questions about the limits of, and relationships between, the species.” It appears that Professor Hong has done precisely that.
Hong De-Yuan 2011. ISBN-13: 978-1-84246-458-8 Hardback, US$113.40 (£70.00). xvi + 94 pp. Kew Publishing, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, United Kingdom This the second of a projected three-volume series titled Peonies of the World. Its predecessor volume is subtitled Taxonomy and Phytogeography (2010, $145.80 at http://www.kewbooks.org, but up to $300 elsewhere); its final volume will be subtitled Phylogeny and Evolution. It may be noted in passing that the parts that have appeared thus far are not furnished with volume numbers, although some booksellers have added them, for clarity.
–Neil A. Harriman, Biology Department, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA. harriman@uwosh.edu
The work begins with a very detailed “Key to Species,” which is at the same time a key to all the recognized subgeneric categories as well. There are in all 33 species of the genus Paeonia, the sole genus of the Paeoniaceae, all north-temperate woody and herbaceous perennials. The names at the ends of the legs of the key are not accompanied by page numbers, which would have been helpful; the arrangement is of course not alphabetical. The keys appear to be very usable. The vast array of garden hybrids and horticultural races are necessarily not included in the keys, nor in the descriptive text. There are no nomenclatural innovations published here. The work is lavishly illustrated with color photographs of the species in the wild, following a detailed description and range statement. There are 10 or more photographs for each species, showing habitat, habit, flowers (both front and back), fruits, and below-ground parts. The labels are quite ample. A welcome feature is that the author has preserved 142