Taxonomic implications of floral morphology in the subfamily Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae s.l.) in Korea

Abstract

We examined the floral morphology of 15 taxa of five genera (Cynanchum, Marsdenia, Metaplexis, Tylophora, and Vincetoxicum) in Korean Asclepiadoideae using a stereoscopic and scanning electronic microscope to clarify and describe the floral characteristics. In this study, the corolla and corona types, the types of corona lobes, appendages on the corona lobes, and the apex shape of the style head are considered as diagnostic characteristics at the generic level. The genus Vincetoxicum, which is treated as a synonym of the genus Cynanchum in Korea, is distinguished from Cynanchum by the interstaminal part on the corona, fleshy and mainly triangular or ellipsoid corona lobes, and various corolla colors. In Cynanchum, various corona types have been observed, while Vincetoxicum have similar corona types among the taxa. In addition, the main floral characteristics at the species level were as follows: flowering time, inflorescence, corolla color, trichomes on the corolla surfaces, apex shape of the corona lobe, and trichomes on the ovary. This study presents the taxonomic importance of floral morphology by providing descriptions and diagnostic characteristics among the genera and species investigated.