• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.158-168
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• 2015

A study of the genus Pilea in Korea including five taxa was carried out using molecular phylogenetic methods. The majority of members of the genus Pilea in Korea are annual herbs, and they live in moist habitats, flowering in summer and fruiting in autumn. The results of a phylogenetic analysis using nrDNA and cpDNA supported the recognition of P. japonica, P. peploides, and P. taquetii. Pilea taquetii from Mt. Sanbangsan in Jeju was nested within P. hamaoi and P. mongolica clade instead of the P. taquetii clade, with P. taquetii from Mt. Jirisan also separated from the P. taquetii clade. This indicates that the separation is not geographical isolation, but is instead related to taxonomic problems. Therefore, further study of the P. taquetii group is necessary.