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Issue: Vol. 760 No. 1: 3 Jun. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-06-03
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.760.1.2
Page range: 45-61
Abstract views: 0
PDF downloaded: 0

Cirsium medogense (Asteraceae, Cardueae), a new species from southeastern Xizang, China, supported by morphological and molecular data

Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Biogeography; Kunming Institute of Botany; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kunming 650201; China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100049; China
Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Biogeography; Kunming Institute of Botany; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kunming 650201; China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100049; China
Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Biogeography; Kunming Institute of Botany; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kunming 650201; China
Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Biogeography; Kunming Institute of Botany; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kunming 650201; China
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100049; China; Lhasa Tibetan Plateau Scientific Research Center; Lhasa 810000; China
Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Biogeography; Kunming Institute of Botany; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kunming 650201; China
Cirsium Compositae phylogenetic analysis taxonomy Xizang Eudicots

Abstract

Cirsium medogense (Asteraceae), a new species from southeastern Xizang, China, is described and illustrated. Based on comprehensive morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analyses, C. medogense is placed in Cirsium sect. Epitrachys. The new species is morphologically most similar to C. eriophoroides and C. lipskyi, but is readily distinguished from both by its glabrous, campanulate involucre in combination with more numerous, erect capitula and broadly elliptic leaves. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ITS and three chloroplast markers (matK, ndhF, trnL-trnF) indicate that C. medogense is sister to two accessions of C. lipskyi, and together they form a well-supported clade with C. eriophoroides. The recognition of C. medogense is therefore supported by both morphological distinctiveness and molecular evidence. This discovery enhances understanding of species diversity and phylogenetic relationships within Cirsium and underscores the importance of continued botanical exploration and conservation efforts in this floristically rich region.

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How to Cite

Zheng, Y.-Y., Liu, Q., Chen, J.-T., Zhang, X.-J., Lei, M. & Deng, T. (2026) Cirsium medogense (Asteraceae, Cardueae), a new species from southeastern Xizang, China, supported by morphological and molecular data. Phytotaxa 760 (1): 45–61. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.760.1.2