Abstract
In this article, we present a revised taxonomic circumscription of Aconitum subg. Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) in Europe. In total, the subgenus contains some 250 species with the major center of diversity in Eastern Asia. Altogether 94 taxa (species and infraspecific taxa, including hybrids) occur in Europe. Among them, 22 are native species, and 28 are nothospecies (including hybrid formulae). The research is based on former (since Linnaeus) and recent species diagnoses integrating herbarium and field studies carried out in the Alps, Carpathians, Balkans, Spanish Sierra Nevada, Sudetes, and Corsica. The subgenus includes three sections in Europe: the diploid sect. Cammarum, the tetraploid sect. Aconitum, and the monospecific, allopolyploid sect. Angustifolium. Additionally, a triploid, hybridogenous nothosection Acomarum (sect. Aconitum × sect. Cammarum) is presented. For each species, type citation, a concise morphological description, including infraspecific variation and hybridization, geographical distribution, and iconography sources are given. Also, a key to the determination of all taxa is presented. The proposed system scrutinizes former and recent species concepts and gives a base for further studies on the genus’ phylogeny and biotechnology.
Highlights
The genus Aconitum L. comprises ca. 300–400 species distributed in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, with a center of diversity in the eastern Himalaya, southwestern China, and Japan (Kadota 1987; Li and Kadota 2001; Luo et al 2005)
From a total number of ca. 250 species belonging to the subgenus Aconitum, 22 species may be found in Europe, with eight species occurring exclusively in the Carpathian and Balkans Mts (Boroń et al 2020)
Genus Aconitum consists of the following monophyletic subgenera: subg
Summary
The genus Aconitum L. (monkshood) comprises ca. 300–400 species distributed in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, with a center of diversity in the eastern Himalaya, southwestern China, and Japan (Kadota 1987; Li and Kadota 2001; Luo et al 2005). In Gáyer, p.p. Diagnostic characters: carpels (2–) 3, densely pubescent; bracteoles linear to lanceolate, (3–) 5–8 (–20) mm; filaments not toothed, pilose. Type citation: “Salzburger Alpen (Untersberg, Schafberg)” (Gáyer 1912: 498) Typus: iconotype, “Reichenbach 1825, Ill. Spec. Type citation: “Frequentissimum in apricis Taureri Malnizesis, Radstadienis, etc.” Typus: iconotype, “Typus gesehen von Gáyer, Magyar Bot. Lap.
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