• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.227-245
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• 2005

Numerical analysis using morphological characters was done in order to clarify taxonomic circumscriptions and identities of Korean endemic, Cirsium setidens (Dunn) Nakai, Cirsium chanroenicum Nakai, and Cirsium toraiense Nakai ex Kitam.. Principal components analysis of C. setidens and C. chanroenicum using 29 morphological characters and 12 leaves characters revealed one group which could not separate. Identity of C. toraiense could not be confirmed by the destruction of habitat, similarity of morphological diagnostic characters between many specimens identified C. toraiense including type specimen and C. japonicum var. ussuriense. In considering the variational patterns of morphological characters, it is strongly suggested that identities of C. setidens f. alba, C. setidens var. niveo-araneum, and C setidens var. pinnatifolium should be recognized, but C. chanroenicum var. lanceolata should be included to circumscription of C. setidens.