On the system of the Sapotaceae, with some remarks on taxonomical methods

The Sapotaceae have of old a bad reputation among classificators because of the extreme complexity in which the single features are distributed over its genera, species and individuals. It is, in particular, extremely difficult to find satisfactory generic delimitations and consequently, the family yields a rich field both for lumpers and for splitters. Both categories, and several intermediaries, have given their opinions, as has been recently recalled by Charles Baehni in his “Mémoires sur les Sapotacées I, Système de Classification” (Candollea VII, 1938, 394—508). It is my present purpose to deliver a few annotations with regard to this valuable publication, meant, not in the first place as criticism, but as contributions towards the extensive material which is needed for a well-founded insight into the structure of this prolific natural order. In view of the often adverse opinions of earlier authors and of those investigators, like myself, who are intimately familiar with a part of the family only, without being sufficiently well acquainted with other parts, a new survey of the whole family by one man is highly desirable and we may look forward with vivid interest to Baehni’s further papers. The one quoted above is, I presume, to be considered as a preliminary study and if I am well informed the next step will be a monograph of one of the most intriguing genera. Pouteria.