The taxonomic identity of Aconitum kirinense Nakai (Ranunculaceae: Aconitum subgenus Lycoctonum)

Abstract

The distribution of Aconitum kirinense Nakai, a commonly misidentified species in South Korea, has been confirmed in the eastern Gangwon-do Province and northern Gyeongbuk Province. A. kirinense was described as a new species based on specimens collected in Jilin, China by Komarov in the ‘Report of the First Scientific Expedition to Manchuria’. In Korea, this species was misidentified as Aconitum barbatum var. barbatum Patrin ex Pers. and A. barbatum var. hispidum (DC.) Ser. Here, we present a table for the comparison of morphological characteristics and a geographical distribution map for these taxa. To correctly classify these species, we re-identified the specimens deposited in the herbarium and conducted a field survey. Based on these data, we have reclassified some of the previously misclassified native taxa distributed in the Korean Peninsula.

Keywords

• Aconitum kirinense Nakai
• Morphological characteristics
• Re-identification
• South Korea
• Taxonomy