INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY OF THE ANTENNARIA-ROSEA (ASTERACEAE, INULEAE) POLYPLOID COMPLEX

The Antennaria rosea polyploid agamic complex is one of the most morphologically diverse and widespread complexes of N. American Antennaria. The group is taxonomically confusing because of numerous agamospermous microspecies, having been recognized as distinct species. Morphometric analyses have demonstrated that the primary source of morphological variability in the complex derives from six sexually reproducing progenitors, A. aromatica, A. corymbosa, A. media, A. microphylla, A. racemona, and A. umbrinella. Additionally, two other sexually reproducing species, A. marginata and A. rosulata, may have contributed to the genetic complexity of the A. rosea complex. Cluster analysis indicates that four discrete morphological groups exist within the A. rosea complex. Each group could be the result of predominance of genes from different groups of sexual progenitors. As A. rosea is of multiple hybrid origin, from among several sexual progenitors, it is advisable to recognize A. rosea as a distinct species from its sexual progenitors. © 1990 Springer-Verlag.