A preliminary conspectus of Scorzoneroides (Compositae, Cichorieae) with validation of the required new names

Abstract

The distinctness of the two subgenera recognised by Widder within Leontodon on morphological grounds gains strong support from recent molecular systematic studies. The new results make it mandatory to recognise these two taxa as separate genera, because Leontodon as traditionally defined, comprising them both but excluding Picris, Hypochaeris and related smaller genera, would be diphyletic. By consequence, a fair number of former Leontodon taxa must now be placed in the genus Scorzoneroides. In order to draw the attention of practising botanists to this need and to enable them to use the names believed to be correct, a preliminary nomenclatural synopsis is given here, limited to the species and subspecies known to occur in the Euro-Mediterranean area. Required combinations that do not yet exist are validated. CR - Copyright © 2006 Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum, Berlin-Dahlem