Cassini's Compositae genera: A nomenclatural and taxonomic assessment

Work on the Global Compositae Checklist has highlighted uncertainties and errors in the nomenclatural parameters of many genera and subgenera described by Henri Cassini. Problems concern rank (subgenus vs. genus); type designation; correct place of valid publication; alternative names; and other miscellaneous issues. An annotated list with correct nomenclatural information for 391 generic names or designations is provided, including types (newly designated here for 17 names) and one new combination (Gyptis tanacetifolia). The current taxonomic disposition of Cassini's genera and the accepted names for the listed typonyms are consistently mentioned. The familiar names Felicia and Chrysopsis, already conserved, are threatened by unlisted earlier synonyms, and currently used Fulcaldea turns out to be illegitimate. Proposals to deal with these problems by conservation are being presented separatel

Morphometric study of Euchiton (Gnaphalieae: Asteraceae)

A morphometric study was undertaken to survey taxa in the genus Euchiton Cass., distributed across Australia, New Zealand and South-east Asia. Phenetic analyses of herbarium specimens showed several taxa to be well delimited, including E. brassii (Mattf.) Anderb., E. breviscapus (Mattf.) Anderb., E. lateralis (C.J.Webb) Breitw. & J.M.Ward, E. limosus (D.G.Drury) Holub, E. litticola A.M.Buchanan, E. traversii (Hook.f.) Holub and E. umbricola (J.H.Willis) Anderb. However, the analyses showed that the remainder of Euchiton taxa are not yet satisfactorily resolved taxonomically. The distributions of E. involucratus (G.Forst.) Holub and E. sphaericus (Willd.) Holub were elucidated, although these widespread species would benefit from more research. Further research is necessary into species delimitation between E. paludosus (Petrie) Holub and E. polylepis (D.G.Drury) Breitw. & J.M.Ward and within the E. japonicus complex, including E. audax (D.G.Drury) Holub, E. collinus Cass., E. delicatus (D.G.Drury) Holub, E. ensifer (D.G.Drury) Holub, E. japonicus (Thunb.) Holub and E. ruahinicus (D.G.Drury) Breitw. & J.M.Ward. Recognition of a proposed taxon E. ‘gracilis’ was not supported and description at this point is not recommended. The New Zealand material of E. audax, E. delicatus and E. ensifer was shown to differ from the Australian material in the micromorphology of the cypselae. Euchiton collinus is considered a synonym of E. japonicus, which also includes the Australian material attributed to E. audax, E. delicatus and E. ensifer. The presence of E. limosus in Australia was confirmed, with it differing from E. involucratus in having glabrous cypselae with paired papillae in both Australian and New Zealand material. Generic boundaries of Euchiton are problematic. The generic placement of Gnaphalium clemensiae Mattf. and E. umbricola remains unresolved. Insufficient data were available to make taxonomic conclusions regarding the generic placement of G. chiliastrum (Mattf.) P.Royen and G. heleios P.Royen from New Guine

Morphometric study of Euchiton traversii complex (Gnaphalieae: Asteraceae)

A morphometric study was undertaken into alpine and subalpine species of Euchiton Cass. (Gnaphalieae: Asteraceae) in the Euchiton traversii species complex in south-eastern Australia and New Zealand. Phenetic analysis of both field-collected and herbarium specimens resolved the following six taxa included: Euchiton traversii (Hook.f.) Holub, Euchiton argentifolius (N.A.Wakef.) Anderb., Euchiton lateralis (C.J.Webb) Breitw. & J.M.Ward, Argyrotegium mackayi (Buchanan) J.M.Ward & Breitw., Argyrotegium fordianum (M.Gray) J.M.Ward & Breitw. and Argyrotegium poliochlorum (N.G.Walsh) J.M.Ward & Breitw. The results support the segregation of the genus Argyrotegium J.M.Ward & Breitw. from Euchiton. E. argentifolius is distinct from E. traversii, but conspecific with A. mackayi. E. lateralis is present in Tasmania as well as New Zealand. The distribution of Australian E. traversii is redefined to mainland alpine regions with a few rare occurrences in Tasmania. Australian E. traversii was shown to be similar to its New Zealand counterparts. Differences between E. lateralis and E. traversii were clarified. A. fordianum and A. poliochlorum are distinct species and their transfer to Argyrotegium is supported