The genus Pyrus L (Rosaceae) in south-west Europe and North Africa

A multivariate morphometric study of the genus Pyrus in south-west Europe and North Africa shows that five species may be recognized in the area: P. bourgaeana Decne., P. communis L., P. cordata Desv., P. spinosa Forssk, and P. nivalis Jacq. Some valuable characters for identification of these species are proposed. In particular the width of fruit peduncle, petal size, leaf width and petiole length serveed to discriminate the taxa. Several names such as P. gharbiana Trab., P. cossonii Rehder (= P. longipes Balansa ex Coss. & Durieu) and P. boisseriana Buhse, are regarded as synonyms of P. cordata, while P. mamorensis Trab. of P. bourgaeana. Consequently a check-list and a key to these species are provided. (C) 1996 The Linnean Society of London