Systematics of new zealand inuleae (compositae-asteraceae)-1 a numerical phenetic study of the species of raoulia

Abstract

One hundred and seventeen individuals representing all known taxa of Raoulia were scored for 84 morphological characters. Numerical phenetic analysis showed that, on the basis of overall morphological similarity, boundaries of presently accepted species are clear-cut except between R. mammillaris and R. bryoides. Three undescribed taxa warrant specific status, and the Volcanic Plateau populations of R. australis are specifically distinct from those of the South Island. Of the six varieties currently recognised, R. hookeri vars. apicinigra and albosericea should be restored to, and R. hectorii var. mollis should probably be raised to, the rank of species. R. hookeri var. laxa is part of an unresolved species complex and should be retained pending further study. Neither var. pusilla nor var. dimorpha of R. tenuicaulis should be recognised. The three main subdivisions of the genus are Raoulia subg. Raoulia, Raoulia subg. Psychrophyton, and R. cinerea. Subg. Mistura and the sections of Raoulia should not be maintained. © 1993 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.