DHBlog023 · A note from Robin Walls
From time to time, when verifying, I see subspecies records in Living Record and lists reaching DERC or the BSBI’s database by other routes, where I doubt the recorder has actually looked at the critical features. Most of the time I ignore this because the subspecies is the common one, or the only one to be found in Dorset. But because of a recent query about a species that had been incorrectly recorded as a rare subspecies, the time has come for more rigour. I will query or reject all subspecies records unless I am sure the recorder has identified to this level.
Some subspecies are distinctive and regularly recorded correctly, such as: Lamisastrum galeobdolon ssp. argentatum, Vicia sativa ssp. segetalis and Luzula multiflora ssp. congesta. Two other sets that would have been recorded as subspecies until the publication of edition 4 of Stace (2019) raised them to the level of species. These are: Hedera helix ssp. helix or hibernica and Carex viridula ssp. viridula, oedocarpa or brachyrrhyncha. Most often, I suspect, it is when entering the data that a subspecies is chosen from the dropdown list, perhaps because it is at the top, whereas only the species name has been written in the field notebook. The same risk probably applies when keying directly into apps. In living record subspecies entry can be prevented by setting the check list to ‘species only’ (see the ringed option in the figure). In fact, I use this option all the time for lists of abbreviated names to save having to choose from the options in the full names. I then change the setting for any records of subspecies and hybrids that are left.
When you become familiar with the species of a plants it is natural to notice variation. In some cases there are consistent differences and a name has been given to distinguish the groupings, or of course, you may have found a hybrid. These subspecies, varieties, forms and, for gardeners, cultivars, usually vary subtly and require careful examination. There are strict rules covering the formation and publication of these names but the choice of whether taxa are separated as species, subspecies or variety is more subjective. This can lead to marked differences in treatment between floras and over time. Increasingly DNA sequences are used to justify a taxon at any level which should lead to greater stability in the nomenclature. The illustrated field guides such as Streeter and Rose only include a few infraspecific taxa and hybrids; it is the larger floras by Stace and the five volumes of Sell & Murrell that are needed to identify the recognised subspecies and varieties.
None of the above is intended to discourage you from identifying to subspecies. It is just a warning that I might query the records until I am sure you have checked. So be prepared to be asked for confirmation.
Editor's Note: See Infraspecific Name for a definition