Preslia 83: 491–512, 2011 491

Dandelions in Central Asia: a revision of Taraxacum section Stenoloba

Taxonomická revize Taraxacum sect. Stenoloba v Centrální Asii

Jan K i r s c h n e r & Jan Š t ě p á n e k

Dedicated to the memory of Leoš Klimeš

Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences, CZ-25243 Průhonice 1, Czech Republic, e-mail:

jan.kirschner@ibot.cas.cz, jan.stepanek@ibot.cas.cz

Kirschner J. & Štěpánek J. (2011): Dandelions in Central Asia: a revision of Taraxacum section
Stenoloba. – Preslia 83: 491–512.

On the basis of rich material from Asia, a recently described group of dandelions, Taraxacum sect.
Stenoloba Kirschner et Štěpánek, is revised taxonomically. Four previously described species are
recognized: T. sinomongolicum, newly typified, T. mongoliforme, with a lectotype replacing the
original holotype now not extant, and a new epitype, T. scariosum, a new combination of Leontodon
scariosus Tausch, replacing the frequently confused names, T. asiaticum, newly typified, and T. steno-
lobum, and T. multisectum, a taxon for the first time compared with other members of the section.
Three new species are described: T. abax occupies a large range from S Siberia and Mongolia to NE
China, T. abalienatum and T. odibile are known from Mongolia and SE Siberia. Taraxacum abax
and T. abalienatum represent core species of the section Stenoloba, whilst T. odibile exhibits a mix-
ture of characters of sections Stenoloba and Leucantha. All the known members of the section
Stenoloba are agamosperms. Taraxacum mongoliforme, T. abax and T. scariosum proved to be
triploid with 2n = 24. This account includes detailed descriptions and an identification key.

K e y w o r d s: agamospermy, Altai, Compositae–Lactuceae, China, Mongolia, Siberia, Taraxacum,

taxonomy,

Introduction
Principles for studying Taraxacum taxonomy were outlined by Richards (1973),
Kirschner et al. (2003) and Kirschner & Štěpánek (1996a). They reflect the peculiar fea-
tures and processes known in dandelions: coexistence of agamospermy and sexuality,
complex hybridity and polyploidy, low level of structural morphological differentiation
and the high number of mutually similar and mostly hybridogenous species. The complex-
ity of the genus also requires another taxonomic rank, placed between species and genus in
the traditional hierarchy, to make the population and taxonomic structure more easily
understandable for non-specialists. The rank of section is usually used in the majority of
Taraxacum literature. The recognition and application of the above principles and taxo-
nomic tools is needed to describe the dandelion diversity in regional floras. However, there
are large territories where the basic exploration has not been completed and where the
above principles remain to be observed, one of the most important being North-Central
Asia, a region covering S Siberia, Mongolia, the former Soviet Middle Asia and N and W
China, a region with an enormous diversity of this genus. A rich material collected by the
authors and their collaborators in Siberia, the Altai, Mongolia, Middle Asia, Ladakh, Tibet
and China, later also cultivated in the Czech Republic, was used to summarize the diversity
of dandelions (Taraxacum, Compositae–Lactuceae) in the region of North-Central Asia,
492 Preslia 83: 491–512, 2011

and resulted in five publications (Kirschner & Štěpánek 1996b, 2004, 2005, 2008,
Kirschner et al. 2006) in which four new sections and 13 new species were described. The
present paper is the fifth in the series dealing with the dandelions of steppe and subsaline
habitats of that territory. The important older literature that needs to be consulted is cited in
the historical introduction of the paper by Kirschner et al. (2006).

Material and methods

Most of the material studied is deposited in the herbarium PRA, Institute of Botany, Acad-
emy of Sciences, Průhonice, Czech Republic. It represents the largest collection of extra-
European dandelions in the world, a result of expeditions to many regions of the Mediter-
ranean and Middle Asia (the former Soviet Middle Asia, i.e. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) and Central Asia (mainly S Siberia, Mongolia
and NW and NE China). Cultivation of plants grown from seed obtained from other bota-
nists, seed collected by expeditions and from cultivation of roots also provided plants for
herbarium collections. Details of the cultivation methods are given in Kirschner &
Štěpánek (1993). The cultivation, especially repeated mass cultivation, reveals the limits
of morphological plasticity of individual taxa. Moreover, it provides material for the study
of reproduction systems (see below).
This study was supplemented by the examination of numerous herbarium collections.
Those most relevant to the present study are BM, E, GAT, GOET, K, LE, MW, NS, PE,
PRC, S, TI, UPS, W, WRSL, WU (abbreviation according to Index Herbariorum at
http://sciweb.nybg.org/science2/IndexHerbariorum.asp). Most of our revision labels are
numbered and refer to the specimen to which they are attached (not to the duplicates).
The taxonomic concept of sections and species is documented by a standard exsiccate
series edited and distributed by the present authors (Kirschner & Štěpánek 1992, 1997b).
In the series, 911 numbers were distributed (which represents more than 20,000 speci-
mens) and copies are deposited in major herbaria with important dandelion collections
(e.g. S, H, L, M, PRA, PRC) and in the collections of leading specialists (H. Øllgaard,
I. Uhlemann, P. Oosterveld, A. J. Richards etc.).
A knowledge of the mode of reproduction (agamospermy versus sexuality) is crucial
for this taxonomic study, and there are numerous ways of identifying it, particularly in
live, cultivated plants (emasculation or observation of the variation of leaf rosettes of sib-
lings in cultivation). In herbarium material, pollen presence/absence and variation in the
size of pollen were studied (Nijs et al. 1990); a conspicuously variable pollen size is, with
certain exceptions, a reliable indicator of dandelion agamospermy. This basic screening of
the modes of reproduction was completed with a more detailed observation of the material
in cultivation, using the above methods and chromosome counting (triploidy observed in
three members of the section is invariably a sign of agamospermy in Taraxacum).
Plant nomenclature follows Kirschner & Štěpánek (1997a) and the principles of sec-
tional taxonomy of Kirschner & Štěpánek (1996a).
Achene length in the descriptions includes the cone.
Kirschner & Štěpánek: Taraxacum section Stenoloba in Central Asia 493

Taxonomic treatment
Taraxacum sect. Stenoloba Kirschner et Štěpánek, Folia Geobot. 39: 261 (2004)
Type: Taraxacum stenolobum Stchegl.

D e s c r i p t i o n: Plants ± medium-sized. Leaves usually arachnoid, more densely near

their base, deeply lobed to dissected, with narrow, subpatent lobes. Scapes ± arachnoid.
Outer involucral bracts appressed, loosely appressed, erecto-patent to ± arcuate-patent,
numerous (13–24), greenish, usually with narrow but distinct, paler or reddish borders,
ovate-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, corniculate or with horns at the apex. Flowers yel-
low, outer ligules flat. Achenes pale greyish or stramineous brownish, narrow (less than
0.9–1.0 mm), ± densely minutely spinulose with acute short straight spinules, ± gradually
narrowing into a narrow (0.2–0.3 mm in diam.), cylindrical or subcylindrical cone usually
0.9–1.2 mm long; rostrum thin, 7–10 mm long, pappus white or yellowish (dirty) white, ca
6–7 m long. Main flowering time: late May to June, rarely later.
The section Stenoloba is relatively close to another three groups: T. sect. Leucantha
Soest differs from sect. Stenoloba in having thicker achenes, more abruptly narrowing into
a thick cone, usually appressed outer bracts without or with corniculation, and occur in
a different, more humid habitat. Two steppe groups that might be confused with the sect.
Stenoloba are sect. Suavia Kirschner et Štěpánek and sect. Dissecta Soest. They differ in
having well developed tunica at plant base, in achene shape and size (often also colour)
and in usually broad outer involucral bracts.

A key to species of the section Stenoloba

1a Involucre 7–9 mm in diameter; rostrum ca 6 mm long .....................................................................................2
b Involucre (8–) 9–12 mm in diameter; rostrum 7–9 mm long ............................................................................3
2a Outer bracts ± flat to slightly corniculate, very numerous (20–24) ................................. 1. T. sinomongolicum
b Outer bracts cornute to corniculate, numerous (16–20) ..................................................................7. T. odibile
3a Outer bracts 18–23, regularly arcuate ....................................................................................6. T. abalienatum
b Outer bracts 10–18, appressed, erect, erecto-patent, if arcuate then only some of them in an irregular manner ... 4
4a Lateral leaf lobes narowly triangular, 2–4 mm wide near the base; interlobes entire or sparsely dentate
............................................................................................................................................2. T. mongoliforme
b Lateral leaf lobes linear to linear-lingulate, to ca 2 mm wide near the base; interlobes lobulate-dentate ......... 5
5a Stigmas yellow to pale greyish yellow ......................................................................................3. T. scariosum
b Stigmas grey-green, dark hairy .......................................................................................................................6
6a Achenes 3.9–4.3 mm long; achene body with short spinules or squamules ........................................5. T. abax
b Achenes 4.6–5.0 mm long; achene body with conspicuously long thin spinules ................... 4. T. multisectum

1. Taraxacum sinomongolicum Kitagawa, Neo-Lineam. Fl. Manshur. 687 (1979), nom. nov.
S y n.:
≡ Taraxacum cuspidatum Dahlst. in H. Smith, Acta Horti Gotob. 2: 171 (1926), nom. illeg. (Art. 53.1), non
Marklund, Acta Soc. Fauna Fl. Fenn. 34(7): 19 (1911). – Type: [China, Hebei, Xiao Wutai Shan] Chili: Hsiao-
wu-tai-shan, Yang-kia-ping [Yang-hia-p’ing], Hsi-lin, 1900–2000 m, 1 Oct 1921, H. Smith 349 (lectotype,
designated here: UPS, no. det. 11825).

D e s c r i p t i o n: Plants 12–15 (–30) cm tall. Petiole usually purplish at base or green-

ish, unwinged; leaf blade mid-green, ± linear to linear oblanceolate, (8–) 10–12 (–16) ×
494 Preslia 83: 491–512, 2011

0.8–1.5 (–2.0) cm, ± subglabrous, ± pinnatisect; lateral lobes (3) 4–6 pairs, 3–8 × 3–4 mm,
linear-triangular to narrowly triangular, recurved to ± patent, usually entire; interlobes 2–3
(–4) mm wide, entire; terminal lobe sometimes elongated, narrowly triangular, sagittate at
base, acute, entire. Scapes greenish, sparsely arachnoid, more densely below capitulum.
Capitulum ca 2 cm in diameter. Involucre 7–8(–9) mm wide, base ± rounded; outer bracts
20–24, deep green to pale green, with a distinct whitish-membranous border 0.2–0.3 mm,
± imbricate, lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, the outermost ones sometimes linear,
4.0–5.5 (–7.5) × ca 1–1.5 mm, ca 2/5–1/2 as long as inner ones, loosely appressed, later
some or all may be patent-arcuate, margin glabrous to sparsely ciliate, flat; inner bracts
1–1.2 cm long, ± corniculate. Flowers ± yellow, outer ligules flat, striped greyish green
outside. Stigmas pale greenish. Anthers polliniferous; pollen grains irregular in size.
Achenes pale greyish, 3.9–4.2 × 0.9–1.0 mm, body apically ± densely spinulose, spinules
short, erect-patent, body gradually narrowing into ± cylindric cone 0.9–1.0 mm long; beak
5–6 mm long, thin; pappus 5–6 mm long, slightly yellowish white. Fl. summer.
Agamosperm (Fig. 1H).
Notes on the original material and the selection of the lectotype: Seven original
syntypes are cited by Dahlstedt (1926), if the two duplicate specimens of J. G. Andersson
407a (S, no. det. 9239, 18379) are included, and these represent the original material to be
considered in the typification procedure. Dahlstedt (1926) also published illustrations of
morphological details of this taxon, and his choice of specimens as models for the pictures
was important in the selection of the lectotype. The original syntypes are briefly described
below (Dahlstedt’s mistakes in spelling are corrected).

a. “Ursola”, L. Taczanowski s. n., as Leontodon collinus (not traced at W)

b. “Transbaicalia, Nerczinsk in pratis subsalsis prope stationem viae ferreae Kujenga”, 24 Jul 1910, V. Sukaczew
& G. Poplavskaya 1451 (WU, no. det. 9594). Determined as T. cuspidatum by Dahlstedt. [the label was tran-
scribed by H. Handel Mazzetti]. The plant represents a late summer form of Taraxacum mongoliforme (see
below). Summer heads, when compared with plants flowering in spring, have corniculate (not cornute) and
much narrower outer bracts. There is an isosyntype in the herbarium LE (no. det. 6096). It consists of several
plants belonging to T. sinicum Kitag. and a single plant of T. abax. The latter was annotated by N. Tzvelev in
1985 as an isolectotype of T. cuspidatum, naturally with no nomeclatural effect.
c. “Nerczinsk in loco arenoso prope pl. Werchnji Urjum”, 1 Apr 1910, V. Sukaczew & G. Poplavskaya 176 (not
traced at WU)
d. “Karakalinsk, Sas Bulak”, Jun 1910, Kutscherowskaja 846 (WU, no. det. 9597). Determined as “T. cuspidatum
Dahlst. modif.” by Dahlstedt. [the label was transcribed by H. Handel-Mazzetti]. Most probably, the plant
represents T. sinicum but no fruit is available to support this conclusion. However, the plant is not eligible as
the lectotype of T. cuspidatum because of the note “modif.” by which Dahlstedt indicates a rather untypical
appearance.
e. “Mongolia: 7 li sept. versus a Tobo-ol, Burte-nor”, 4 Aug 1919, J. G. Andersson 407a (S, no. det. 9239). –
Later (1936) determined by G. Haglund as T. asiaticum Dahlst. The plant represents late summer form of
T. scariosum Stschegl.. There is a certain confusion caused by the fact that there are two sheets with the same
date, number and locality in herbarium S. An original syntype.
f. “Mongolia: 7 li sept. versus a Tobo-ol, Burte-nor”, 4 Aug 1919, J. G. Andersson 407a (S, no. det. 18379). –
Later (1936) determined by G. Haglund as T. cuspidatum Dahlst. The specimen was not annotated by
Dahlstedt but it represents the Dahlstedt’s T. cuspidatum. A leaf of the plant no. det. 18379 was probably
a model for an illustration (fig. 10c, Dahlstedt 1926: 172) but the caption to the figure refers to “no 409a” (per-
haps mistakenly), and the latter number itself is not quoted in the list of localities by Dahlstedt. Both collec-
tions J. G. Andersson 407a may be regarded as original syntypes but only no. det. 18379 is conspecific with
the lectotype.
g. “China: Chili, Hsiao-wu-tai-shan, Yang-kia-ping, Hsi-lin” [Hebei, Xiao Wutai Shan], 1 Oct 1921, H. Smith
349 (UPS, no. det. 11825). A plant that evidently was essential for the compilation of the description and for
Kirschner & Štěpánek: Taraxacum section Stenoloba in Central Asia 495

Fig. 1. – Details of achenes of all the taxa included in sect. Stenoloba: A – T. scariosum, no. det. 15729; B –
T. scariosum, no. det. 22716; C – T. abalienatum, no. det. 22715; D – T. abax, no. det. 22713; E – T. mongoliforme,
no. det. 22717; F – T. odibile, no. det. 22712; G – T. multisectum, no. det. 15863; H – T. sinomongolicum, no. det.
18656. Scale bar = 1 mm.
496 Preslia 83: 491–512, 2011

drawing the figures. The lower plant was used as a model for figures 10a, b (Dahlstedt 1926: 172), a young
head of it is depicted on Plate III, fig. 5, and the achene description in the protologue matches achenes of this
syntype. These facts qualify the specimen to be the best candidate for the lectotype of the name T. cuspidatum
Dahlstedt, and in the absence of a better choice it is so designated. The plants were collected in autumn, and
have leaves without characteristic features of taxa known in the region. Outer bracts, seemingly well devel-
oped, have a typical appearance of those of a number of taxa of this section in autumn: they are narrow, with-
out corniculation or callose. However, a comparison of the type material with plants in PE makes it possible to
characterize this rather rare species.

For the time being, the taxonomic conception of the interpretation of the name
T. sinomongolicum used here is based on two conspecific syntype specimens (collected
rather late in the season in Inner Mongolia), another specimen from Inner Mongolia
(PRA) and a collection from Hebei in herbarium PE. Further study is therefore needed as
many characters observed or measured on this late material may be rather uncertain; there
is rich material in cultivation from autumn 2010, collected by the authors at Wutaishan,
Shanxi, for that purpose.
S p e c i m e n s s t u d i e d: China: Hebei, Zhongbei County, near Deng You Fang, 14 Aug 1959, [anonymous]
6067 (PE, no. det. 18656). – Nei Mongol (Inner Mongolia), Xilinhot (Abangar Banner) Xian: Qian Long
Dianyutai, near lake Dalai Nur, 1350 m, 7 Aug 1993, D. E. Boufford, E. W. Wood, T. S. Ying & H. Y. Zhang, no.
25939 (PRA, no. det 24454).

2. Taraxacum mongoliforme Doll, Feddes Repert. 86: 514 (1975)

T y p e: Mongolia, Töv-Aimak, Bornuur, 100 km NNN Ulan-Bator, “Ueberweidete Bergsteppe im Saichny-gol-
Weidegebiet, 1200 m s. m.”, 21 Jun 1973, K. Kloss [Paulinenaue, Germany], (original holotype: probably in per-
sonal herbarium of K. Kloss, not available for study, probably no longer extant). – Lectotype, designated here:
[icon in] Doll, Feddes Repert. 86: Plate XXIIIb (1975). – Epitype, designated here: Rossia, Sibiria centralis,
oppidum Irkutsk, lacus Baikal, in declivibus stepposis supra pagum Listvyanka, 26 Oct 1985, J. Štěpánek &
J. Kirschner 1575; cultivated as JŠ 1575/36 (epitype: PRA, no. det. 15721; isoepitypes: PRA, G, S, K).
E x s i c c a t e s: Taraxaca Exs., no. 747–750.

The original type of T. mongoliforme was not found. It is reported to be deposited in a pri-
vate herbarium; no response was received by us, or by our German colleagues from the
owner of the material (K. Kloss). As all the attempts to locate the holotype failed, it is con-
sidered to be non extant. The identity of the original type of the taxon described under the
name T. mongoliforme with our material is highly probable because both the figure in Doll
(1975, Plate XXIIIb) and the description match the features of our numerous collections.
The only difference is the small size of achenes reported for T. mongoliforme in the
protologue, a feature that may be attributed to the imperfect development of young fruits
of the original material. The above figure (Doll 1975, Plate XXIIIb) is the only extant ele-
ment of the original material of the name T. mongoliforme. It is therefore inevitable that it
is selected as the lectotype of this name.
In order to stabilize the nomenclature of the group, an epitype is designated from well
developed material preserved in an internationally recognized institutional herbarium
(PRA), with duplicate material in other herbaria.
D e s c r i p t i o n: Plants medium-sized. Petiole narrow, unwinged, often narrowly winged
in outer leaves, deep purple, mid-rib purple; leaf blade broadly linear in outline, usually
6–9 (–11) × 1 (–1.4) cm, sparsely arachnoid, mid–green, divided into numerous (usually
Kirschner & Štěpánek: Taraxacum section Stenoloba in Central Asia 497

Fig. 2. – Taraxacum mongoliforme Doll (PRA, no. det. 15723).

498 Preslia 83: 491–512, 2011

4–7) pairs of lateral lobes, lobes usually patent to slightly forward-pointing, less often ±
recurved, short, narrowly triangular, 2–4 mm wide near the base, (2–) 4–5 mm long, acute,
sometimes leaves undivided, coarsely dentate; interlobes 2–8 mm long, usually 3–6 mm
wide, entire or with scattered teeth (or distal base of lobes sparsely toothed or entire).
Scapes arachnoid, young ones densely so. Capitulum up to 3.5 cm in diameter. Involucre
rounded at the base, 8–10 mm in diameter, inner bracts usually 12–14 mm long, deep
green, darker reddish near the apex, distinctly corniculate; outer bracts loosely appressed
to ± erect, later arcuate, ± numerous, 12–17, slightly imbricate or not so, sparsely ciliate,
green, almost always suffused purple, ovate to lanceolate, usually 6.5–7.5 × 2–3 mm, bor-
ders either paler or reddish, (0.1–) 0.3–0.4 mm wide, bracts distinctly horned (horns thick,
0.7–1.5 mm long). Flowers yellow, outer ligules flat, long, striped grey greenish pink out-
side, ligule teeth faintly reddish or dirty yellow. Stigmas green, pollen present, irregular in
size. Achenes greyish, 4.2–4.6 mm long, 0.9 mm wide, gradually narrowing into a thin,
subcylindrical cone 1.0–1.2 (–1.3) mm long, achene body shortly spinulose to squamulose
above, otherwise ± smooth to slightly tuberculate. Rostrum thin, usually (7.5–) 8–9 mm
long, pappus white, ca 6.5–7 mm long. 2n = 24 (counted by J. Kirschner under no. 6/93,
from Lake Baikal, JŠ 1575/36, see above). Agamosperm (Fig. 1E, 2).
Probably a widely distributed species known from south-central and eastern Siberia
and from Mongolia. According to our field observations, this species most often occurs on
dry, steppe and secondary steppe slopes.
S p e c i m e n s s t u d i e d: Mongolia: Suche-Bator, pagus Shamar, in alluvionibus fl. Orchon, 7 Jul 1987,
V. Petrovskiy s. n., planta culta sub no. JŠ 3141 et JK 194 (PRA, no. det. 15722; numerous multiplicates in
Taraxaca Exs., no. 747). – Russia: Transbaicalia, Nerczinsk in pratis subsalsis prope stationem viae ferreae
Kuyenga, 24 Jul 1910, V. Sukaczew & G. Poplavskaya 1451 (WU, no. det. 9594, one of the original syntypes of
T. cuspidatum, see above). – Sibiria centralis, oppidum Irkutsk, lacus Baikal, in declivibus stepposis supra pagum
Listvyanka, 26. Oct 1985, J. Štěpánek & J. Kirschner, cultivated from JŠ 1575/35 and as JK 223 (PRA, no. det.
15723); as JŠ 2716 (PRA, no. det. 15724); as JŠ 2534 (PRA, no. det. 15725); as JŠ 2717 (PRA, no. det. 15726,
distributed as Taraxaca Exs., no. 748–750).

3. Taraxacum scariosum (Tausch) Kirschner et Štěpánek, comb. nov.

S y n.:
≡ Leontodon scariosus Tausch, Flora, Regensburg, 12/1, Ergänzungsbl., p. 34 (1829). – Type citation: “Habitat
in Sibiria ad lacus salsos. Gmelin. Qua varietatem L. Taraxaci Gmelinus habuit in herbario Schmidtiano.” –
Type: “... ad lacus salsos crescens” [J. G. Gmelin scripsit]. (in Sibiria Gmelin) [F. W. Schmidt scripsit].
Leontodon scariosus Tau. E Sibiria [I. F. Tausch scripsit] (holotype: PRC, no. det. 22257). – See also Fig. 3.
= Taraxacum stenolobum Stchegl., Bull. Soc. Imp. Natur. Moscou 27/1: 180 (1854). – Type citation: “In pratis
ad rivulum prope Semipalatinsk sub finem Maji 1843”. – Type: Semipalatinsk “nach dem Autor”, herb.
Karelin (lectotype: LE, no. det. 7957, selected by Kirschner & Štěpánek, Folia Geobot. 39: 261 (2004).
A possible isotype may be LE, no. det. 7956.
= Taraxacum printzii Dahlst. in Printz, Veg. Siber.-Mongol. Front. 439 (1921). – Type: “Sibiria, Prov. Jeniseisk,
Distr. Minusinsk, Jenisei nar Ust Abakansk”, 3 Jun 1914, H. Printz (lectotype, designated here: S, no. det.
23046).
= Taraxacum asiaticum Dahlst. in H. Smith, Acta Horti Gotob. 2: 173 (1926). – Type: [China, Hebei, Xiao
Wutai Shan] Chili, Hsiao-wu-tai-shan, ad ripam torrentis supra Tien-lin-ssü, H. Smith 427 (lectotype, desig-
nated here: UPS, no. det. 11814).
= Taraxacum asiaticum var. lonchophyllum Kitagawa, Bot. Mag., Tokyo, 47: 827. 1933. Type: [China,
Liaoning, Zhujiatunzhen] Feng-t’ien: In oppido Chü-chia-t’ien, 1 Jun 1932, M. Kitagawa (lectotype, desig-
nated here: TI, no. det. 15864; isotypes: TI, no. det. 18716, 18717, 18718, 18719).
Kirschner & Štěpánek: Taraxacum section Stenoloba in Central Asia 499

Fig. 3. – Taraxacum scariosum (Tausch) Kirschner et Štěpánek. A, the holotype plants; B, holotype labels (PRC).
500 Preslia 83: 491–512, 2011

= Taraxacum commixtiforme Soest in P. Hanelt et S. Davažamc, Feddes Repert. 70: 61 (1965). – Type: Mongo-
lia, Südgobi-Aimak, Dund-Sajchan, Bognin-chjar, ca 25 km südl. Bulgan, Trockental, Meereshöhe ca 1500 m
[further data on a hand-written original label: N-Kette des Gebirges, nahe einer Wasserlaufs], 28 May 1962,
Mongolisch-Deutsche Expedition 2085 (holotype: GAT, no. det. 11812; isotypes: GAT, no. det. 11813; L, no.
det. 9317).
E x s i c c a t e: Taraxaca Exs., no. 284.

D e s c r i p t i o n: Plants medium-sized. Petiole narrow, unwinged, usually faintly to deep

purple; leaf blades narrowly lanceolate in outline, up to 12 (–15) × 1.3–2.5 cm, arachnoid,
mid–green to pale green, deeply dissected into 6–10 pairs of ± linear lobes, these usually
narrower in the proximal 1/3, usually ± patent, often slightly pointing upwards, rarely
slightly downwards, straight, sometimes bent upwards or downwards, often wider at the
base and base divided into sharp linear lobules or teeth; interlobes usually 0.5–1.2 cm
long, very narrow, with numerous, usually patent linear acute lobules and/or teeth (inner
leaves more toothed, outer ones simpler); late summer leaves larger, with broad lobes up to
8 mm wide. Scapes arachnoid, especially below the capitulum, rarely subglabrous.
Capitulum ca 2.0–2.5 cm in diameter. Involucre rounded at the base, 9–11 mm in diame-
ter; outer bracts appressed, later erect or (some) recurved at the apex, 14–18, yellowish
green to deep green, usually suffused pinkish, arachnoid-ciliate, slightly imbricate, the
outer of them lanceolate to broadly lanceolate, 5–7 × 2.5–2.8 mm, middle ones 8.0–8.5 ×
1.8–2.5 mm, pinkish in the upper part, borders whitish, 0.2–0.3 mm wide, usually more
distinct in the upper part and often slightly suffused pinkish, ecorniculate or slightly
corniculate in first heads, later usually all corniculate; inner bracts deep green, slightly or
not glaucous, 12–14 mm long in flower, narrow, corniculate near the apex. Flowers yel-
low, outer ligules flat, striped grey to grey-pinkish outside; ligule teeth reddish. Stigmas ±
yellow to pale greyish yellow; pollen present, irregular in size. Achenes pale straw-grey,
4.2–4.7 mm long, ca 0.8 mm wide, gradually (less often ± subabruptly) narrowing into
a subcylindrical cone 0.8–1.0 mm long (often with sparse spinules at the base), achene
body spinulose above, spinules medium dense to ± sparse, sharp, narrowly conical,
oblique, lower spinules shorter, often blunt, lower 3/5 of achene body usually smooth to
slightly tuberculate (ridges distinct). Rostrum thin, usually 8–9 mm long, pappus white,
6–7 mm long. 2n = 24 (counted by J. Kirschner under no. 21/93, from the Ulan-Bator
vicinity, JK 195, see below). Agamosperm. (Fig. 1 A, B, 4).
Taraxacum scariosum is a distinct taxon characterized by ± pale green leaves, ± appressed
outer bracts of pale colour, yellow stigmas, slender pale straw-grey achenes and a rostrum
8–9 mm long. The species is widely distributed, from east Kazakhstan, through south-cen-
tral Siberia and Mongolia to north-central and north-east China.

Nomenclatural notes on the names Taraxacum asiaticum and T. scariosum

Analysis of the original syntypes of Taraxacum asiaticum Dahlst.1
Five of the eleven original syntypes of the name T. asiaticum belong to T. scariosum. In the
typification procedure, Dahlstedt (1926) choice of plants for illustrations has again been
an important factor in the selection of the lectotype.

1
Dahlstedt’s mistakes in spelling are corrected
Kirschner & Štěpánek: Taraxacum section Stenoloba in Central Asia 501

Fig. 4. – Taraxacum scariosum (PRA, no. det. 9932).

502 Preslia 83: 491–512, 2011

a. “Guv. Tomsk, Kreis Biisk, Kansk, Salzwiesen beim See”, W. L. Nekrassova (WU, no. det. 9600). A poorly
developed plant that could not be identified to species. Taraxacum scariosum possible.
b. “Altai”, Gebler 10, “ex herb. Horti Petropol.” (WU, no. det. 9603). A plant belonging to the section Leucantha
(a syntype of T. dealbatum, at the same time).
c. “Altai”, Ledebour 458 (reported to be deposited at W). No relevant plant with Dahlstedt’s identification label
found at W.
d. “Baikal: Listvics?” [most probably Listvyanka village], O. Lönnbohm (S, no. det. 9236). A fragment that does
not allow any identification.
e. “Irkutsk” (S. J. Enander, 9. Jul 1913, S, no. det. 9233, 9237). Plants collected as summer forms. Comparison
with our collections shows that they may be close to the Taraxacum sinicum group, section Leucantha. The
plants are not eligible as a lectotype as their characters do not correspond to the protologue. Another plant
annotated by Dahlstedt but not listed among syntypes should be mentioned here: 6 Jul 1913, S. J. Enander
(S, no. det. 9238).
f. “In ripa fluminis Selenga prope stationem viae ferreae Divisionnaja”, 15 Jul 1913, S. J. Enander (S, no. det.
9234). Late summer plants, probably very close to T. odibile (see below). Designated as the lectotype in an
ineffective way by C. F. Lundevall (in scheda) but not eligible because the fruits differ from the original
description.
g. “Mongolia: 7 li septentrionem versus a Tobo-ol, Burte-nor” (4. Aug 1919, J. G. Andersson 407a, S, no. det.
9239, 11815). These two specimens are rather confusing because Dahlstedt (1926) quotes the localities of
both his T. asiaticum and T. cuspidatum, but neither of the specimens is annotated by him. Thus, the syntype
status of the two specimens is doubtful. The no. det. 9239, probably a syntype of T. cuspidatum (for discus-
sion, see above), represents T. scariosum. We failed to identify the other plant; it resembles an autumn form of
T. sinicum. The third plant collected, J. G. Andersson 407a, S, no. det. 18379, is conspecific with T. sino-
mongolicum and discussed above.
h. “Tibetia: Kuen-lun, oasis Su-tschou, 3700' ”, V. I. Roborowski (WU, no. det. 9599). In all likelihood, a young
plant of T. scariosum.
i. [Sichuan] “Tibetia: Batang”, G. N. Potanin 27 p.p. [mistakenly given as 257 by Dahlstedt] (WU, no. det. 9598).
A well developed T. scariosum.
j. “Chili, Hsiao-wu-tai-shan, ad ripam torrentis supra Tien-lin-ssü”, H. Smith 427 (UPS, no. det. 11814). A late
September collection. The only young leaf preserved, the achene and flower characters allow a safe identifi-
cation of the plant as T. scariosum. This plant was used for drawings (Dahlstedt 1926) and corresponds very
well to the original description. It is selected as the lectotype of T. asiaticum in the present paper.
k. “Kansu”, Przewalski (WU). A plant of low quality located in WU but without Dahlstedt’s identification label.
Not taken into consideration in the lectotypification procedure.

Analysis of the name Leontodon scariosus Tausch

It is normally not advisable to restore historical names that have not been used for a long
time. The reason for the rather exceptional approach adopted here is that the two equally
widely used names for this taxon, T. stenolobum and T. asiaticum, cover a wide range of
morphotypes and taxa in all the major floras (Schischkin & Tzvelev 1964, Orazova 1975,
Vainberg 1991, Ge et al. 1999). The descriptions and sectional classification of T. steno-
lobum sometimes raise doubts about whether the concept covers the type of this name (in
Tzvelev 1987, T. stenolobum was classified as a member of the sect. Mongolica). Thus, in
order to remove this confusion over the interpretation of the older names, it was decided to
“clean” the nomenclature and taxonomy by using the old Leontodon scariosus Tausch
(1829) and creating a new combination in Taraxacum.
The name Leontodon scariosus Tausch (missing from IPNI, http://www.ipni.org/) was
published on the basis of a herbarium specimen with two plantlets undoubtedly belonging
to what used to be called Taraxacum stenolobum. The specimen was originally collected
by J. G. Gmelin and then sent to F. W. Schmidt (1764–1796; for information on this early
author, see Kirschner 1988, 2009). The name Leontodon scariosus, as a basionym for
Kirschner & Štěpánek: Taraxacum section Stenoloba in Central Asia 503

a possible combination in Taraxacum, has priority over the epithet stenolobum (1829 ver-
sus 1854).
S e l e c t e d s p e c i m e n s s t u d i e d: Kazakhstan: Semipalatinskiy uyezd, K. K. Kosinskiy 417 (LE, no. det.
7958). – Semipalatinskaya oblast’, Karkal. u., Dzharla, 26 Jun 1890, S. Korzhinskiy (LE, no. det. 7943). –
Semipalatinskiy uyezd, Sulu-Cheku, po beregu r. Sarchalovka, 1914, K. K.. Kosinskiy (LE, no. det. 7941). –
Semipalatinskiy uyezd, Chingiz, 25 May 1914, Schipczinsky 325 (LE, no. det. 7938). – Semipalatinskiy uyezd,
gory Chingiz, raion r. Namal’, 28 May 1914, K. K. Kosinskiy 482 (LE, no. det. 7939). – Russia: Altai, distr.
Ongudai, in valle fl. Katun non procul a confl. cum fl. Bol’shoi Yaloman, 30 Jun 1988, J. Kirschner, cultivated as
JK 3347 (PRA, no. det. 15729). – Altai, okr. Teletzkogo oz. [vicinity of Lake Teletzkoe Ozero] bliz s. Kamyrtuk,
dolina Chulyshmana, 2 Jun 1909, Sychinskiy (LE, no. det. 8203). – Baikal, zapadnoe poberezh’e mezhdu 53°
i 55° s. sh., Onguren, 8 Jul 1928, K. A. Rassadina (LE, no. det. 7950). – Irkustkaya guberniya, na pr. beregy r.
Ushakovki, 24 Jun 1874, collector illegible (LE, no. det. 7940). – Irkutskiy uyezd, Ordvynskaya inorodnaya
uprava, 10 Jun 1902, Sorokin (LE, no. det. 7960, p.p.). – Transbaicalia, mezhdu Nerchei i Kuengoi [between
rivers Nercha and Kuenga], Sukhoi Baigul’, na stepi Kochevnogo Khrebta, 17 Jun 1911, V. Sukaczew &
G. Poplavskaya, no. 743 (LE). – Mongolia: Ulan-Bator, in alluvionibus rivi ad pontem trans fl. Tola, 25 Jul 1987,
V. Petrovkiy, cultivated from JŠ 3147 as JK 195 (PRA, no. det. 9932, also distributed as Taraxaca Exsiccata, no
284, e.g. H, S, L, K). – China: [Shanxi] Young Mong Shan, Shansi N, 29 Jul 1914, Licent 1064 (BM, no. det.
8438). – [Heilongjiang] Mandschurei, gegend von Harbin, Auwiese, feuchter Lehmboden, 26 May 1926, Jettmar
(W, no. det. 8983). – Tibet, Kuen-lun, oasis Su-tschou, 3700', V. I. Roborowski (WU, no. det. 9599). – [W
Sichuan] Tibet, Batang, G. N. Potanin 27 p.p. (WU, no. det. 9598).

4. Taraxacum multisectum Kitagawa, Rep. Inst. Sci. Res. Manchoukuo 2(7): 310 (1938)
T y p e: [China, Jilin Province, Changchun] Prov. Chi-lin: Circa Hsin-ching, 25 May 1938, M. Kitagawa
(lectotype, designated here: TI, no. det. 15863; isotype: TI, no. det. 18713).

D e s c r i p t i o n: Herbs 11–20 cm tall. Petiole unwinged, pale green or purplish, sparsely

arachnoid at the very base, otherwise glabrous; leaf blades mid-green, narrowly oblong,
7–16 × 1.2–2.4 cm, sparsely arachnoid, pinnatipartite; lateral lobes 3–5 pairs, ± linear, ca
8–16 × 1.2–2.3 mm, ± patent, acute, ± entire; interlobes narrow, ca 3–12 × 1–2 mm,
filiform-dentate or lobulate; terminal lobe 3-partite, segments entire, acute. Scapes brownish
green, arachnoid, ± overtopping leaves. Capitulum ca 3–3.5 cm wide. Involucre 9–11 mm
wide, rounded at base; outer bracts 10–14, dark green, margins and apical part often pur-
ple, with a gradual transition into a paler border and sharply delimited whitish border ca
0.3 mm wide, not imbricate, usually broadly lanceolate to narrowly ovate, (6.0–) 7.0–9.0 ×
(2.0–) 2.5–4 mm, ca 1/2 as long as inner ones, appressed, later to erect-patent, margins ±
glabrous or sparsely ciliate, ± callose, rarely flat; inner bracts 14–16 mm, ± flat to
corniculate. Flowers yellow, outer ligules ± flat, striped grey outside. Stigmas greyish
green. Anthers polliniferous; pollen grains irregular in size. Achenes light greyish straw-
brown, 4.6–5.0 × 0.8–0.9 mm, body subsparsely spinulose above, spinules long, longest
0.5 mm, thin, acute, erect-patent, some also on conical base, body gradually narrowing
into ± cylindric cone 0.9–1 mm long; beak thin, 10–11 mm long; pappus ± white, ca 7 mm
long. Fl. spring. Agamosperm (Fig. 1G).
Recorded growing in steppe grasslands and pastures at altitudes of between 50–300 m.
According to the material available, it is confined to E China, province of Jilin. This spe-
cies most probably also occurs in Liaoning, Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia but this
needs to be confirmed by further study. It is similar to T. abax but differs substantially in
having conspicuously long spinules on achenes, longer beak, not horned and seldom
corniculate outer bracts.
504 Preslia 83: 491–512, 2011

S p e c i m e n s s t u d i e d: China, [Jilin Province, Changchun] Prov. Chi-lin: Circa Hsin-ching, 24 May 1938,
M. Kitagawa (TI, no. det. 18714, 18715).

New species in the section Stenoloba

A detailed examination of material from Siberia, the Altai, Transbaicalia and Mongolia
revealed two agamospermous species closely related to T. scariosum. Both are character-
ized by flowering late, darker leaves, distinctly cornute and less appressed outer bracts
(similar to those of T. mongoliforme). Another new taxon, superficially similar to T. sini-
cum of the sect. Leucantha, was identified in material from Mongolia. The new species are
described below.

5. Taraxacum abax Kirschner et Štěpánek, spec. nova

T y p e: Irkutsk, lacus Baikal, Listvyanka, pascuis ad ripam lacus Baikal, prope ostium amnis Angara, 26 Oct
1985, J. Kirschner & J. Štěpánek, cultivated from 1574/42 as JŠ 2711 (holotype: PRA, no. det. 15737; isotypes:
PRA, no. det. 22713, G, S, K).

E x s i c c a t e s: Taraxaca Exs., no. 906–910.

D e s c r i p t i o: Plantae agamospermae foliis ambitu anguste lanceolatis araneosis saturate viridibus dissectis,
lobis lateralibus utrinque 6–9 linearibus vel lineari-lingulatis patentibus vel paulo assurgentibus interlobiis
perangustis sparse lobulatis vel dentatis, interlobiis foliorum interiorum saepissime integerrimis, lobo terminali
lineari vel lineari-lingulato. Involucrum basi rotundatum squamis interioribus corniculatis, squamis exterioribus
numero 13–17, laxe adpressis usque erectis vel erecto-patentibus, raro apice paulo recurvatis, cornutis. Antherae
polliniferae, stigmata obscura, griseo-viridia, dense obscure pilosa. Achenium griseo-stramineum 3.9–4.3 mm
longum 0.8–0.9 mm latum superne dense breviter spinulosum, in pyramidem cylindricam tenuam 0.9–1.2 mm
longam subsensim usque subabrupte transiens, rostro 7–9 mm, pappo 6.5–7 mm longis.

D e s c r i p t i o n: Plants medium-sized. Petioles narrow, unwinged, deep purple; leaf

blades narrowly lanceolate in outline, usually 7–10 × 1.5–2.8 cm, arachnoid, dull to deep
green, deeply dissected into 6–9 pairs of linear to linear-lingulate, patent or often forward
pointing (less often slightly recurved) lateral lobes 0.8–1.4 (–2.0) cm × 1.0–2.0 (–2.5)
mm; interlobes narrow, 6–10 × 1–2 mm wide, usually with a few lobules or teeth, usually
near the base of distal edge of lobes, interlobes often entire on inner leaves; terminal lobe ±
linear to linear-lingulate, 10–15 × 1.5 (–3.0) mm. Scapes arachnoid, later sparsely
arachnoid. Involucre ± rounded at the base, usually 10–12 mm in diameter; outer bracts
loosely appressed to ± erect (to ± erecto-patent), some of them slightly recurved at the
apex, 13–17, dark green and ± glaucous, often suffused reddish (usually at least on the
upper half), slightly imbricate, ± lanceolate, 7–9 (–10) × (2.2–) 2.6–3.0 (–3.1) mm, dis-
tinctly cornute, borders whitish membranous, 0.3 mm wide; inner bracts ± dark green, dis-
tinctly corniculate, usually 12–15 mm long and narrow (1.2–2.0 mm wide). Flowers deep
yellow, numerous, outer ligules flat, striped greyish-greenish-pinkish outside, inner lig-
ules ± flat, ligule teeth reddish, stigmas dark, greyish-greenish with dense dark hairs, pol-
len present, irregular. Achenes grey straw-brown, 3.9–4.3 mm long, ca 0.8–0.9 mm wide,
± subgradually to subabruptly narrowing in a 0.9–1.2 mm long, thin, cylindrical cone,
achene body densely shortly spinulose, spinules ± thin, rostrum thin ca 7–9 mm long,
pappus yellowish white, 6.5–7.0 mm long. 2n = 24 (counted by J. Kirschner under no.
7/93, from the Altai, JK 85, see below). Agamosperm. (Fig. 1D, 5).
Kirschner & Štěpánek: Taraxacum section Stenoloba in Central Asia 505

Fig. 5. – Taraxacum abax Kirschner et Štěpánek. Holotype (PRA, no. det. 22713).
506 Preslia 83: 491–512, 2011

A species characterized primarily by its erect, comparatively broad outer bracts, dark
stigmas and achenes with a body not so gradually narrowing into a cone as in the other
members of this section. In its outer bracts, it is similar to T. multisectum but differs in fruit
morphology (see Fig. 1), which makes it possible to distinguish the two taxa. It is a widely
distributed taxon, its range extending from the Siberian Altai to Transbaicalia in the north
and from Xinjiang through Mongolia to Hebei in the south.
S p e c i m e n s s t u d i e d: Russia: Altai, distr. Ongudai, secundum viam publicam ca 15 km situ occid. a pago
Iodro, 1 Jul 1988, J. Kirschner, cultivated as 3351 (PRA, no. det. 15738; JK 85, PRA, no. det. 15740). –
Zabaikalskaya oblasť, Chitinskiy trakt, Otokhay [?], 26 Jun 1913, G. Poplavskaya, M. Poplavskiy & E. Ditmer,
no. 1124 (LE, no. det. 18207). – Zabaikalskaya oblasť, bassein r. Barguzina. ... [illegible], 19 Jun 1911, A. Zhukova,
no. 64 (LE, no. det. 18208). – Baikal, 17 Jun 1915, V. Sukaczew & G. Poplavskaya, no. 816 (LE, no. det. 18210). –
Baikal, Kultuk, 5 Jun 1915, G. Poplavskaya & Yu. Tsenserling, no. 5 (LE, no. det. 18212); 6 Jun 1915,
G. Poplavskaya & Yu. Tsenserling, no. 39 (LE, no. det. 18211); 12 Jun 1915, V. Sukaczew & G. Poplavskaya, no.
415 (LE, no. det. 18213). – Irkutsk, lacus Baikal, Listvyanka, pascuis ad ripam lacus Baikal, prope ostium amnis
Angara, 26 Oct 1985, J. Kirschner & J. Štěpánek, cultivated from 1574/36 as JŠ 2710 (PRA, no. det. 15727). –
Irkutsk, lacus Baikal, Listvyanka, in decl. stepposi supra portum in pago Listvyanka, 26 Oct 1985, J. Kirschner &
J. Štěpánek, cultivated as JŠ 2533 (PRA, no. det. 25200). – Mongolia: Suche-Bator, pagus Shamar, in
alluvionibus fl. Orchon, 21 Jul 1987, V. Petrovskiy, cultivated as JŠ 3144 (PRA, no. det. 15739). – Ulan-Bator, in
collibus siccis ad pedem montis Bogd-úl, Aug 1990, J. Soják, cultivated as JK 734 (PRA, no. det. 15741; JK 714,
PRA, no. det. 25196; JK 719, PRA, no. det. 25195; JK 731, PRA, no. det. 15742; JK 733, PRA, no. det. 15743; JK
737, PRA, no. det. 25197; JK 741, PRA, no. det. 25198; JK 742, PRA, no. det. 25199). – Mongolia, along the
main road ca 30 km ESE of Ulan-Bator, 47°50'N, 107°09'E, ca 1570 m, 16 Sep 2006, J. Kirschner & I. Staňa, cul-
tivated as JK 5070 (PRA, no. det. 25194; JK 5069, PRA, no. det. 25193; JK 5071, PRA, no. det. 25192). – Mongolia,
Ulan-Bator, at the foot of the Bogd-ul Mts, Tuul River, grasslands, S of the river, 47°53'N, 106°55'E, ca 1300 m,
10 Sep 2006, J. Kirschner & I. Staňa, cultivated as JK 5061 (PRA, no. det. 25191). – Mongolia, ca 40 km E of
Ulan-Bator, near the bridge S of Terelj National Park, 47°49'N, 107°20'E, ca 1550 m, 16 Sep 2006, J. Kirschner &
I. Staňa, cultivated as JK 5067 (PRA, no. det. 25190). – China: Hebei, Niang Niang Wa Gou, Ying Liu 15309
(PE, no. det. 18613, 18612). – China, prope limitem provinciarum Hebei et Beijing: situ boreo-orientali ab oppido
Miyun, ad radicem borealem montis Wuling Shan, 700 m s. m., 40°40'N, 117°27'E, 1 Aug 1995, R. Businský, cul-
tivated as JŠ 5863 (PRA, no. det. 24455). – Xinjiang, the Tian Shan, above Glacial Station II, mountain steppe
pastures at 2000 m, 43°06'00"N 87°00'59"E, 4 Oct 2003, P. Sekerka 3/8 (PRA).

6. Taraxacum abalienatum Kirschner et Štěpánek, spec. nova

T y p e: Mongolia centr.-boreal., urbs Ulan-Bator, in collibus siccis ad pedem montis Bogd-úl, Aug 1990, J. Soják
s.n., cultivated as JK 725 (holotype: PRA, no. det. 15719; isotypes: PRA, no. det. 25201, K, G, S).
E x s i c c a t e s: Taraxaca Exs., no. 911.
D e s c r i p t i o: Plantae mediocriter altae, notabile araneosae, foliis ambitu lineari-lanceolatis usque anguste
lanceolatis, saturate viridibus, ± dense araneosis, profunde pinnatisectis lobis lateralibus numero 7–10 utrobique,
± patentibus, non raro arcuatis, interlobiis angustis, ad 2 mm latis, acute lobulatis dentatisve, lobo terminali
lingulato, petiolo angusto subinde anguste alato, saturate purpureo. Involucrum basi rotundatum squamis
exterioribus numero 18–23, regulariter arcuatis, lanceolatis, 6.5–9 mm longis et fere 1.8–2.3 mm latis, glauci-
viridibus, sub apice corniculatis vel cornutis et purpuree coloratis, margine albo membranaceo 0.2–0.3 mm lato.
Antherae polliniferae; stigmata sublutea usque griseo-lutea, sparse obscure pilosa. Achenia grisea usque griseo-
straminea, 3.7–4 mm longa, 0.8–0.9 mm lata, in pyramidem cylindricam, 0.9–1 mm longam subabrupte abeuntia,
rostro 7–8 mm longo, pappo albido 6–7 mm longo.

D e s c r i p t i o n: Plants medium-sized. Petioles narrow, usually narrowly winged, deep

purple; leaf blades linear-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate in outline, usually 7–11 cm
long, 1.5–2.5 cm wide, arachnoid to ± densely arachnoid, mid-green to deep green, deeply
dissected into 7–10 pairs of dense patent (or slightly forward-pointing) linear to linear-
Kirschner & Štěpánek: Taraxacum section Stenoloba in Central Asia 507

Fig. 6. – Taraxacum abalienatum Kirschner et Štěpánek. Holotype (PRA).

508 Preslia 83: 491–512, 2011

lingulate lateral lobes 5–12 × 1.5–2.5 mm; outer leaves usually have shorter and denser
lobes, inner ones have long, broader and more remote lobes; interlobes narrow and usually
short, (2–) 4–7 mm long, usually up to 2 mm wide, proximal edge of lobe base and
interlobes often with acute lobules and/or dentate; terminal lobe ± lingulate, usually ca
1 cm long and ca 3 mm wide, with small lobules at the base. Scapes densely arachnoid to
arachnoid. Capitulum 2–3 cm in diameter. Involucre ± rounded at the base, usually up to
10 mm in diameter; outer bracts regularly arcuate, 18–23, glaucous dull green, distinctly
corniculate to cornute, usually suffused reddish near the apex, ± not imbricate, ± linear
lanceolate, 6.5–9.0 × (1.6–) 1.8–2.3 mm, borders whitish membranaceous, ± distinct,
0.2–0.3 mm wide; inner bracts deep green to slightly glaucous green, distinctly
corniculate, 10–13 mm long, usually up to 2 mm wide. Flowers yellow, outer ligules ± flat,
striped grey pinkish (or greenish) outside, inner ligule teeth reddish. Stigmas yellow to
greyish yellow, with sparse darker hairs (overall appearance of stigmas: dirty yellow to
greyish). Pollen present, irregular in size. Achenes grey to grey straw-brown, 3.7–4.0 mm
long, 0.8–0.9 mm wide, ± subabruptly narrowing in a 0.9–1.0 mm long, thin, ± cylindrical
cone, often with 1–2 spinules at the cone base, achene body ± densely spinulose above,
otherwise smooth, spinules short, broad-based, rostrum thin, 7–8 mm long, pappus white,
6–7 mm long. Agamosperm. (Fig. 1C, 6).
Taraxacum abalienatum is characterized by numerous, regularly arcuate outer bracts
with subapical horns. The closest species, T. abax, has fewer, broader, straight, loosely
appressed to erect outer bracts. Known from a series of steppe hills in the Bogd-úl group
near Ulan Bator, Mongolia and from Transbaicalia.
S p e c i m e n s s t u d i e d: Mongolia centr.-boreal., urbs Ulan-Bator, in collibus siccis ad pedem montis Bogd-
úl, Aug 1990, J. Soják, cultivated as JK 721 (PRA, no. det. 15734; JK 736B, PRA, no. det. 15735; JK 715, no. det.
15736; JK 729, PRA, no. det. 15720). – Russia, Transbaicalia, mezhdu Nerchei i Kuengoi, okr. s. Nov. Olova, 13
Jul 1911, V. Sukaczew & G. Poplavskaya, no. 1095 (LE).

7. Taraxacum odibile Kirschner et Štěpánek, spec. nova

T y p e: Mongolia centr.-boreal., urbs Ulan-Bator, in collibus siccis ad pedem montis Bogd-úl, Aug 1990, J. Soják
s.n., cultivated as JK 726 (holotype: PRA, no. det. 15718; isotypes: PRA, no. det. 22712, K, G, S).
D e s c r i p t i o: Plantae mediocriter altae, plerumque tenuae, foliis ambitu linearibus usque lanceolatis,
mediocriter vel subdilute viridibus, sparse arachnoideis, pinnatisectis lobis lateralibus utrinque 6–8, linearibus,
patentibus vel paulum recurvatis, aliquando sursum exigue arcuatis, interlobiis ad 2.5 mm latis, subinde
integerrimis, lobo terminali ± late lineari, petiolo angusto, purpureo. Involucrum basi subrotundatum squamis
exterioribus numero 16–20, subimbricatis, lanceolatis usque late lanceolatis, 5.5–7 mm longis, 1.7–2.4 mm latis,
subappressis, ± saturate viridibus subglaucisve, sub apice cornutis usque corniculatis, margine inconspicuo
albide viridi 0.3–0.4 mm lato. Antherae polliniferae; stigmata grisea, nigripilosa. Achenia griseo-straminea,
3.8–4.0 mm longa, ca 0.8 mm lata, in pyramidem angustam cylindricam 0.9–1.1 mm longam sensim abeuntia,
rostro ca 6–7 mm longo, pappo albido 6–8 mm longo.

D e s c r i p t i o n: Plants medium-sized. Petiole narrow, unwinged, purplish; leaf blade ±

linear to ± lanceolate in outline, usually 8–12 cm long, usually 1.5–2.0, later to 4.0 cm wide,
medium green to paler green, sparsely arachnoid to ± arachnoid (mainly beneath), deeply
divided into 6–8 pairs of acute, linear, ± patent or usually slightly downward-pointing,
straight to sometimes upward-curved and entire lateral lobes 6–19 × 1.0–2.5 mm; interlobes
narrow, usually 4–12 × 1.5–2.5 mm, usually with 1–2 lobules and a few thin teeth (on outer
leaves), often entire (chiefly on inner leaves); terminal lobe ± linear to broadly linear, acute,
Kirschner & Štěpánek: Taraxacum section Stenoloba in Central Asia 509

Fig. 7. – Taraxacum odibile Kirschner et Štěpánek (PRA, cultiv. no. JK720).

510 Preslia 83: 491–512, 2011

usually up to 2 cm long and 2–4 mm wide. Scapes arachnoid (densely so below the
capitulum), later sparsely arachnoid. Capitulum ca 2 cm in diameter. Involucre rounded to
slightly subconical at the base, 7–8 mm in diameter; outer bracts loosely appressed, ± gla-
brous (very sparsely ciliate near the apex), slightly imbricate, cornute to corniculate,
16–20, lanceolate to broadly lanceolate, 5.5–7.0 × 1.7–2.4 mm, mid-green to deep green,
± glaucous, darker and suffused pinkish at the apex, with indistinct whitish-greenish bor-
ders ca 0.3–0.4 mm wide; inner bracts mid-green, darker and suffused pinkish at the apex,
corniculate, usually 12–14 × 1–2 mm. Flowers numerous, yellow, outer ligules flat, striped
dark grey with pinkish tinge, inner ligules ± flat, apical teeth pinkish-reddish. Pollen pres-
ent, irregular, stigmas greyish, dark hairy. Achenes greyish straw-brown, 3.8–4.0 mm
long, ca 0.8 mm wide, gradually narrowing into a ± thin cylindrical cone 0.9–1.1 mm long,
achene body ± densely spinulose, spinules thin, acute, erect, straight, rostrum ca 6–7 mm
long, pappus white, ca 6 mm long. Agamosperm. (Fig. 1F, 7).
Taraxacum odibile is known from the vicinity of Ulan-Bator, Mongolia, where it occurs
on steppe or substeppe slopes. The other specimens less safely belonging to this species
come from southern Siberia and another region of Mongolia (see list of specimens below).
Its position in the sect. Stenoloba is based on the thin, sparsely spinulose achene body with
thin erect spinules, gradually narrowing into a thin long cone, and the deeply dissected
leaves with linear lobes. Outer bracts of T. odibile are slightly imbricate, usually appressed,
and in some specimens have an appearance similar to that of T. sinicum (more greenish,
tightly appressed, subimbricate). The latter, however, has substantially different achenes.
S p e c i m e n s s t u d i e d: Mongolia centr.-boreal., urbs Ulan-Bator, in collibus siccis ad pedem montis Bogd-
úl, Aug. 1990, J. Soják, cultivated as JK 720 (PRA, no. det. 15730; JK 739, PRA, no. det. 15731; JK 738, PRA,
no. det. 15732; JK 716, PRA, no. det. 15733). – Less safe identifications: Russia, Siberia: “Divisionnaja”, J. S.
Enander (S, no. det. 9234). – Mongolia: Töv-Aimak, Chutzutu-gol [R. Doll (1975, plate 24b, under the name
T. cuspidatum)].

Nomina excludenda
Taraxacum yinshanicum Z. Xu et H. C. Fu in Y.-C. Ma, Fl. Intramongol. 6: 330 (1982).
H o l o t y p e: [China, Inner Mongolia] Daqinshan, Baichazigou, 16 Jul 1973, Ma Yu-chuan 103 (NMU, photo
vidimus).

There is a discrepancy between the figure of T. yinshanicum (Plate 113, figs. 1, 2 in Y.-C.
Ma, op. cit.) and the type specimen. While the picture shows a plant with characters that do
not exclude sect. Stenoloba, the type specimen undoubtedly is a rather late collected mem-
ber of the sect. Ruderalia.
The name Taraxacum heterolepis Nakai et Koidzumi ex Kitagawa, Bot. Mag., Tokyo,
47: 829 (1933), is based on the holotype specimen (TI) that lacks important characters and
cannot be safely classified, not even to this section. It is accepted in Ge et al. (1999) as
a correct name for T. multisectum (see below) but differs from the latter in the shape and
posture of the outer phyllaries and in important achene features.
Type material of the name T. falcilobum Kitagawa, also referred to this group by Ge et
al. (1999), was not traced and the protologue does not give relevant information on its tax-
Kirschner & Štěpánek: Taraxacum section Stenoloba in Central Asia 511

onomic position. The description does not point to the sect. Stenoloba and its sectional
position is uncertain; further study is needed.

Acknowledgements
The study was funded by the following grants: National Grant Agency grant no. GA206/07/1555, Ministry of
Education grant (Czech-Chinese Collaboration Scheme KONTAKT), no. ME10143, and the Research Plan
Grant of the Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences, no. AV0Z 60050516. We are grateful to the collectors
listed in the text who provided plant material and/or achenes. Thanks are due to the curators of the following her-
baria: TI, KYO, G, GAT, K, BM, LE, PE, PRC, S, UPS, LD, W, WU etc., for loans of herbarium material and/or
help and assistance during studies at their institutions. The authors are grateful for valuable remarks of reviewers.

Souhrn
Na základě studia rozsáhlého materiálu z Centrální Asie, zejména z jižní Sibiře, včetně Altaje a Zabajkalí, Mon-
golska a severní až severovýchodní Číny, byla taxonomicky revidována nedávno popsaná sekce Taraxacum sect.
Stenoloba Kirschner et Štěpánek. Kromě herbářů leží těžiště materiálu v kultivovaných rostlinách z vlastních ex-
pedic a ze vzorků dalších cestovatelů. Pozornost byla věnována přesné interpretaci a náležité typifikaci použitých
jmen. Pro nejrozšířenější druh sekce bylo nalezeno jméno Leontodon scariosus Tausch, nově kombinováno do
rodu Taraxacum, aby nahradilo značně různorodě a nepřesně interpretovaná jména T. stenolobum a zvl. T. asia-
ticum (pro které byl vybrán lektotyp). Typifikováno bylo i jméno T. sinomongolicum Kitagawa a omezeno tak na
rostliny ze severovýchodní Číny. Rozšířený mongolsko-jihosibiřský druh T. mongoliforme Doll byl nově inter-
pretován; typ jména měl být uložen v soukromém herbáři, nyní s neznámou lokalizací a tedy zcela nedostupný.
Proto je pro jméno vybrán lektotyp (fotografie holotypu) a tento interpretován epitypem. Druh T. multisectum Ki-
tagawa byl poprvé srovnán s ostatními příslušníky sekce a náležitě charakterizován; je nejspíš omezen svým vý-
skytem na severovýchodní Čínu. Nově jsou popsány tři agamospermní druhy: Taraxacum abax, široce rozšířený
od Altaje po Zabajkalí a na jih přes Mongolsko až do severní Číny; je blízký druhu T. multisectum, ale liší se pod-
statně svými plody (Fig. 1). Taraxacum abalienatum je známé z hojného materiálu z pahorků Bogd-úl u Ulan-Ba-
toru v Mongolsku a z jednoho vzorku ze Zabajkalí; je to druh s nápadně rohatými a obloukem zahnutými vnějšími
zákrovními listeny. Poslední popsaný druh, T. odibile, je svými listy a plody charakteristickým členem sekce Ste-
noloba, avšak svými zákrovy se poněkud blíží skupině T. sinicum ze sekce Leucantha.

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Received 30 November 2010

Revision received 16 February 2011
Accepted 3 March 2011