Lappulasinaica was recently transferred to the monotypic genus Pseudolappula based on phylogenetic studies, while the related species, L.occultata, has remained in the genus Lappula. In this study, morphological, molecular, and palynological evidence supports that L.occultata should be transferred to the genus Pseudolappula. Both L.occultata and P.sinaica share a combination of nutlets features that distinguish them from Lappula: a longer adaxial keel and a linear attachment scar. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and trnL-F strongly supports L.occultata as the sister taxon of P.sinaica. In addition, pollen grains of these two species are 3-syncolporate with 3 alternating pseudocolpi, which is significantly different from the grains of Lappula taxa. Based on the above evidence, the new combination Pseudolappulaoccultata is proposed.
Keywords: Boraginaceae; Lappulaoccultata; Pseudolappula; new combination.
Dan-Hui Liu, Xue-Min Xu, Yi He, Quan-Ru Liu.