Sulla posizione sistematica di Euphrasia marchesettii Wettst

Abstract

On the systematic position of Euphrasia marchesettii Wettst. B. marchesettii Wettst. is generally considered as a hybrid between E. kerneri Wettst. and a not well mentioned species of subsect. Angustifoliae. Some ecological and phenological observations rouse a doubt on this interpretation and suggest the hypotesis that E. marchesettii may have a common origin with E. kerneri. Its differentiation could be possibly due to specialization in wet communities. A morphometric study was carried out to compare E. marchesettii with its possible ancestors out of subsect. Ciliatae and Angustifoliae. The results of this study show that the highest morfological affinity of E. marchesettii is with E. kerneri; consequently it should be included in subsect. Ciliatae.