Over 19 species and numerous infraspecific taxa have been described in the Syringa pubescens Turcz. complex (Oleaceae), and the taxonomy of this complex has been controversial. To provide a rational taxonomic revision of the complex, field observations were undertaken across China and 14 populations were sampled. The principal coordinate and principal components analyses and general statistical analysis evaluate the significance of characters for taxonomy. As a result, one species is recognized, with three subspecies: Syringa pubescens subsp. pubescens Turcz., subspecies microphylla (Diels) M. C. Chang & X. L. Chen, and subspecies patula (Palib.) M. C. Chang & X. L. Chen. Syringa meyeri C. K. Schneid. is treated as a new synonym of S. pubescens subsp. pubescens, and S. julianae C. K. Schneid. and S. meyeri var. spontanea M. C. Chang as new synonyms of S. pubescens subsp. microphylla. Lectotypes for S. microphylla Diels, S. dielsiana C. K. Schneid., and S. venosa Nakai are designated here.
How to translate text using browser tools
7 July 2009
A Taxonomic Revision of the Syringa Pubescens Complex (oleaceae)
Chen Jin-Yong,
Zhang Zuo-Shuang,
Hong De-Yuan
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden
Vol. 96 • No. 2
July 2009
Vol. 96 • No. 2
July 2009
OLEACEAE
population sampling
statistics
Syringa
Syringa pubescens complex
taxonomic revision