The Limonium binervosum aggregate (Plumbaginaceae) in the British Isles |
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Authors: | M. J. INGROUILLE C. A. STACE |
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Affiliation: | Department of Botany, University of Leicester, Adrian Building, Leicester LEI 7RH |
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Abstract: | A taxometric analysis of 153 colonies of the agamospermous Limonium binervosum aggregate in the British Isles has revealed an ordered hierarchy of variation. A taxonomic treatment of the group describes five new species, redefines four others and describes other infraspecific variants as subspecies or varieties. Each species is morphologically distinct and has a defined geographic range. There are four widespread and morphologically variable species and five geographically restricted species (four monotypic). Limonium recurvum , previously described as a microspecies endemic to a small area of the Dorset Coast, has been widened to include all triploid (2 n = 27) L. binervosum agg. variants found also in W and N Ireland, SW Scotland and Cumbria. All other taxa are tetraploid, usually with 2 n = 35. |
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Keywords: | Agamospermy hierarchy infraspecific taxa taxonomy variation |
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