In this article, we present a revised taxonomic circumscription of Aconitum subg. Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) in Europe. In total, the subgenus contains some 250 species with the major center of diversity in Eastern Asia. Altogether 94 taxa (species and infraspecific taxa, including hybrids) occur in Europe. Among them, 22 are native species, and 28 are nothospecies (including hybrid formulae). The research is based on former (since Linnaeus) and recent species diagnoses integrating herbarium and field studies carried out in the Alps, Carpathians, Balkans, Spanish Sierra Nevada, Sudetes, and Corsica. The subgenus includes three sections in Europe: the diploid sect. Cammarum, the tetraploid sect. Aconitum, and the monospecific, allopolyploid sect. Angustifolium. Additionally, a triploid, hybridogenous nothosection Acomarum (sect. Aconitum × sect. Cammarum) is presented. For each species, type citation, a concise morphological description, including infraspecific variation and hybridization, geographical distribution, and iconography sources are given. Also, a key to the determination of all taxa is presented. The proposed system scrutinizes former and recent species concepts and gives a base for further studies on the genus’ phylogeny and biotechnology.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.