Species Delimitation in the Symphyotrichum subulatum Group (Asteraceae) Reveals a New Species in Central Mexico

Authors

Sushil Dahal, Mississippi State UniversityFollow
Carolina Moriani Siniscalchi, Mississippi State UniversityFollow
Ryan A. Folk, Mississippi State UniversityFollow

ORCID

• Carolina M. Siniscalchi: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3349-5081
• Ryan A. Folk: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5333-9273

MSU Affiliation

College of Arts and Sciences; Department of Biological Sciences

Creation Date

2025-07-01

Abstract

Symphyotrichum (Asteraceae) is a well-circumscribed genus on the basis of morphological and molecular data, but species boundaries remain poorly understood. Here, the species delimitation of the contentious Symphyotrichum subulatum group (Symphyotrichum subg. Astropolium) is illuminated using morphometric, phylogenomic, and geographical analyses. Symphyotrichum mexicanum sp. nov., a new species endemic to central Mexico, is described and distinguished from Symphyotrichum expansum based on its morphometric attributes, phylogenetic placement, geographic range, and ecological specialization.

Publication Date

12-22-2023

Publication Title

Systematic Botany

Publisher

American Society of Plant Taxonomists

First Page

595

Last Page

607

Recommended Citation

Dahal, S., Siniscalchi, C. M., & Folk, R. A. (2023). Species Delimitation in the Symphyotrichum subulatum Group (Asteraceae) Reveals a New Species in Central Mexico. Systematic Botany, 48(4), 595–607.