This is another recent segregate of Lycopodium.
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- S. annotinum – sterile apex
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- S. annotinum – sterile apex
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- S. annotinum – growth constriction
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- S. annotinum – strobilus
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- S. annotinum – habit
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- S. annotinum – habit
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- S. annotinum – growth habit
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- S. annotinum – growth habit
Whether or not you prefer to recognize this segregate, the name Spinulum may not be validly published. It appears to be in conflict with Artcile 20.1 of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. http://www.iapt-taxon.org/nomen/main.php?page=art20 See example 6: “Words such as “caulis”, “folium”, “radix”, “spina”, etc., cannot now be validly published as generic names”.
Good point. I asked the same thing to Robbin in one of his pteridology courses. He explained that “Spinulum” is acceptable as a genus name because it does not mean anything in Latin. It’s just a made-up name. “Spinula” (feminine) is the correct spelling in Latin for the word that means “a small spine-like tip.” If Arthur had used “Spinula”, then we would have to use another name for the genus.
One correction: The Article in the Code that treats about a Latin technical term in use in morphology is Art. 20.2 not 20.1 as pointed out in the original question.
Thanks for pointing that out, Jefferson. We really appreciate your valuable contribution.