Abstract
In the present study, according to morphological observations followed by recent circumscriptions, we have classified the Korean taxa of the family Linderniaceae into Scrophulariaceae sensu lato has been considered in several works, though the taxa have remained undefined because identification work was mostly done according to vegetative morphological features, such as the leaf shape, leaf margins, and leaf venation. The taxa of Linderniaceae are mostly considered to be weeds and, for correct identification, it is necessary to clarify their taxonomic characteristics. Morphological studies were carried out using samples collected in the field. Micro-morphological observations of the vegetative and floral parts were also performed using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We concluded that important characteristics are reproductive morphologies viz. calyx, stamen structure, capsule shape, calyx ratio with capsule, inflorescence morphology, and seed morphology. As a result, we formulated taxa descriptions and provided a key of the genera of Linderniaceae in Korea. Lindernia crustacea (L.) F. Muell. is transferred to Torenia crustacea (L.) Cham. & Schltdl. Lindernia micrantha D. Don and L. angustifolia (Benth.) Wettstein are a synonym of Vandellia micrantha (D. Don) Eb. Fisch., Schäferh. & Kai Müll. Lindernia attenuata Muhl. and L. dubia var. major (Pursh) Pennell are a synonym of Lindernia dubia (L.). Lindernia verbenifolia (Colsm.) Pennell is a synonym of Bonnaya antipoda Druce. Our study reports the presence of four genera: Bonnaya, Lindernia, Torenia, and Vandellia, comprising six taxa under the family Linderniaceae in Korea.
