• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.100-110
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• 2014

Saussurea pseudogracilis Kitam. is characterized by its slender leaves, small involucre and small number of involucral bracts compared to Saussurea gracilis Maxim. But some taxonomists insist that it is hard distinguih S. pseudogracilis from S. pseudogracilis. We tried to discern taxonomic identification of S. pseudogracilis by measuring and analyzing 45 qualitative characters and 42 quantitative characters on 165 specimen. S. pseudograilis was not distinguished from S. gracilis not only by qualitative characters but also by quantitative characters even on statistical analysis(PCA). Therefore, S. pseudogracilis is not independent taxonomic species and it is proper to consider S. pseudogracilis as a synonym of S. gracilis.