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Comparative pappus micromorphology of edelweiss ( Leontopodium , Gnaphalieae, Asteraceae) with implications for taxonomy, ecology and evolution

2016; Oxford University Press; Volume: 182; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/boj.12472

1095-8339

J. Sebastian Stille, Tod F. Stuessy, W. Bernhard Dickoré, Michael M. Jaeger, Birgit Gemeinholzer, Volker Wissemann,

Plant and animal studies

We analysed pappus characters in 31 of the c. 34 accepted Leontopodium spp. (edelweiss). Micromorphological pappus character states were useful for discriminating between individual species and intrageneric groups. The pappus differs in number, length, breadth, surface structure, colour and the tips of the bristles. Several features characterize single species, for example a unique fan-like tip that is only found in L. franchetii. Leontopodium section Nobilia is supported by unusual pappus characters. Experimental evidence shows that the pappus of Leontopodium, previously thought to be caducous, is well suited for wind dispersal of the fruit. One clear trend is that species growing in sparsely vegetated, high-altitude regions often have more numerous and longer pappus bristles, particularly on the female flowers.