Notes on the Identity of Arundinella ravii (Poaceae) and the recollection of Aira elegans from India

Abstract

Field collections from Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, initially identified as Arundinella ravii Shaju & N.Mohanan, were reevaluated and found to match Aira elegans Willd. ex Roem. & Schult., a Mediterranean species hitherto reported from India only by Bor as a garden plant. This paper synonymizes Arundinella ravii Shaju & N.Mohanan under Aira elegans Willd. ex Roem. & Schult., discusses the nomenclatural complexities surrounding Aira elegans and Aira elegantissima Schur and two names, A. elegantissima Schur and A. corsica Jord. are lectotypified.