Ligularia sect. Stenostegia (Asteraceae: Senecioneae) has been questioned about its monophyly and phylogenetic position in our previous study. To settle the dispute, we here verify the phylogenetic pattern of L. sect. Stenostegia with a much denser taxon sampling in the section. The results have corroborated our previous hypothesis, by showing that L. sect. Stenostegia is monophyletic only after excluding L. lancifera, and that the core L. sect. Stenostegia is more closely related to Parasenecio and Sinacalia than to Ligularia. The relationships are further supported by evidence from morphology and geographical distribution, and the results of cytological studies and statistical topology tests in this study. The core L. sect. Stenostegia, with the absence of expanded leaf sheaths and a base chromosome number of x = 30, is substantially different from Ligularia, while congruent with Parasenecio and Sinacalia. Its concentrated distribution in eastern Central Asia also readily sets it apart from Ligularia, which is mainly distributed in eastern Asia, with the center of species diversity in the Himalayas and the Hengduan Mountains region in southwestern China. In contrast, L. lancifera has greatly expanded leaf sheaths, a chromosome number of 2n = 58, and a distribution in eastern Xizang (Tibet) in China, all perfectly matching the features of Ligularia. The AU and SOWH statistical topology tests also strongly favor this phylogenetic hypothesis, by significantly rejecting the alternative hypotheses in current classification. Based on all the evidence, L. lancifera is excluded from L. sect. Stenostegia, and the core L. sect. Stenostegia is segregated as an independent genus of its own, with a new name Vickifunkia. Keywords central Asia; chromosome number; eastern Asia; statistical topology test; Tussilagininae; Vickifunkia Supporting Information may be found online in the Supporting Information section at the end of the article.

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Observations on both herbarium specimens (including type material) and living plants demonstrate that Ligularia muliensis and L. tsangchanensis are conspecific. We therefore place L. muliensis into the synonymy of L. tsangchanensis. Lectotypfications are proposed for L. tsangchanensis and L. muliensis.

The genus Gueldenstaedtia Fisch. is small genus of Fabaceae that includes four species worldwide. Among these, G. monophylla Fisch and G. verna (Georgi) Boriss. are currently recognized as occurring in Mongolia. Here, we present our findings on G. verna from our recent field surveys in eastern Mongolia in 2020. Gueldenstaedtia monophylla is mostly distributed in the western region, whereas G. verna occurs in eastern Mongolia. The regional conservation status of both species was assessed as near threatened based on criterion B in the country. We provided descriptions, grid distribution maps, taxonomic notes and photographic illustrations of the two species based on our newly collected samples.