Nomenclature, morphometry, karyology and SEM cypselae analysis of Carduus brutius (Asteraceae) and its relatives

The systematic relationships between Carduus brutius and its putatively relative taxa, i.e. Carduus affinis and C. defloratus subsp. carlinifolius, were assessed by means of morphological, morphometric and karyological analyses. Our results highlighted a diploid status (2n = 2x = 22) for all the three involved taxa and a higher morphological similarity between C. brutius and C. affinis, which are also completely allopatric (but collectively sympatric with C. defloratus subsp. carlinifolius). The names Carduus affinis Guss., C. affinis var. brutius Fiori, C. affinis var. vulturius Fiori and C. affinis f. pollinensis Fiori were typified. At the present state of knowledge, a subspecific status seems the most appropriate for C. brutius, as C. affinis subsp. brutius. This taxon can be regarded as schizoendemic, restricted to southern Italy (Montea-Caramolo mountain area, Calabria).