Saussurea pseudogracilis Kitam. is characterized by its slender leaves, small involucre and small number of involucral bracts compared to Saussurea gracilis Maxim. But some taxonomists insist that it is hard distinguih S. pseudogracilis from S. pseudogracilis. We tried to discern taxonomic identification of S. pseudogracilis by measuring and analyzing 45 qualitative characters and 42 quantitative characters on 165 specimen. S. pseudograilis was not distinguished from S. gracilis not only by qualitative characters but also by quantitative characters even on statistical analysis(PCA). Therefore, S. pseudogracilis is not independent taxonomic species and it is proper to consider S. pseudogracilis as a synonym of S. gracilis.

A morphological and molecular survey was conducted to determine the taxonomic status of Saussurea maximowiczii var. triceps on Jejudo Island. Although it tends to be smaller than S. maximowiczii with regard to typical quantitative characters of vegetative organs, including the plant height and leaf size, these two taxa cannot be distinguished from each other based on major reproductive characters, including the involucre and florets. Molecular data support the contention that S. triceps and S. maximowiczii are monophyletic taxa. Saussurea maximowiczii var. triceps is found to be an ecological phenotype of S. maximowiczii that has adapted particularly to the windy highlands of Hallasan Mountain on Jejudo Island.