Herbarium material

Altogether approximately 1700 herbarium specimens from B, E, H, HAL, O, S and WU were examined by one of us (JWK). As the morphology of florets (except for presence/absence of ray florets) and fruits (except for indumentum) is invariable among the taxa studied, examination was limited to gross morphology (habit, leaves, branching) and indumentum. Specimens used for photographs and leaf drawings are named in the respective figure captions, and a selection of specimens seen is listed for every taxon.

Geographical distribution

As a result of the strong decline of Tephroseris in the area considered (see below for details), recently collected herbarium material is extremely rare and did not allow us to draw meaningful distribution maps. Accordingly, the geographical distribution of taxa as shown in Fig. 5 and 15 is based mainly on Meusel & Jäger (1992). The extant distributions of taxa will be much more scattered than shown in these maps but not different in their latitudinal and longitudinal limits. When available, reference is made to up-to-date distribution data in the species accounts.

Conservation status

Unless otherwise stated, conservation status of taxa was taken from the IUCN (2021), which includes national assessments from Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. For Poland, assessments followed Snowarski (2002–2021), and for Italy Orsenigo & al. (2020).

Molecular analysis

For the molecular analysis, leaf material of 38 accessions of Tephroseris was collected in nature or sampled from herbarium specimens (Table 1). GenBank accession numbers of all material used are found in Table 2.

DNA was extracted using the DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) following the manufacturer's protocol including recommendations for increased DNA yield. Polymerase chain reactions were carried out for five markers: nuclear ribosomal ITS and ETS and plastid spacers trnT-trnL, trnL-trnF and rpl32-ndhF. For ITS, we used the forward primers ITS5 (Markos & Baldwin 2001) or ITS18S (Pelser & al. 2007) and the reverse primer ITS4 (White & al. 1990). For ETS, we used the forward primers 18S-ETS or 18S-E (Baldwin & Markos 1998) and the reverse primers AST1 (Markos & Baldwin 2001) or the newly designed primer Tim-1 (5′-GAT CAT CAC GCA GGT ACG AG-3′). For trnT-trnL (TabA, TabB) and trnL-trnF (TabC, TabF), primers from Taberlet & al. (1991) were used. The plastid spacer rpl32-ndhF was amplified in full length using optimized primers by Ren & al. (2017): modified rpl32-117F (5′-CGG TAG AAA GAG ATT TCC CTA ATG-3′) and modified ndhF-104R (5′- AAG CCC ACA TAC GAC GAA GAC-3′). In some cases, the extracted DNA was too degraded and rpl32-ndhF had to be amplified in two pieces, using the additional optimized internal primers rpl32-119F (5′-GGC TTG TAA AYT TTT GCC TAA TA-3′) and ndhF-118R (5′-TTA TCA AAC CAC GTA TCT TTA A-3′; modified from Ren & al. 2017). PCR reactions were carried out in 25 µL volumes containing 1µL DNA template, 1 × reaction buffer, 1.2 mM MgCl₂, 0.1 mM dNTPs, 0.8 µM of each primer, 1 U Taq DNA Polymerase (NEB, Frankfurt, Germany) and 0.25–2 µL bovine serum albumin (10 mg/mL). PCR cycles started with an initial denaturation step at 94 °C for 60 s, followed by 35 cycles of denaturation at 94 °C for 20 s, annealing at 52–58 °C (depending on primer combination) for 30 s, and synthesis at 72 °C for 60 s. PCRs were finished with a final synthesis step at 72 °C for 6 min. The PCR products were cleaned with ExoSap-IT PCR Clean-Up (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA, U.S.A.) and were sequenced in both directions with the same primers as used for the PCRs by StarSEQ (Mainz, Germany).

Table 1.

Origin of plant material used for DNA sequencing. “Protected population” indicates that there is no voucher specimen; in these cases we were allowed to collect small leaf samples but not specimens.

Chromatograms were checked manually and sequences aligned automatically with MAFFT v7.402 (Katoh & Standley 2013) with minor manual corrections. ITS alignments were complemented with publically available sequences in GenBank (Table 2). Phylogenetic reconstructions were carried out with the maximum likelihood (ML) algorithm using RAxML v.8.2.12 (Stamatakis 2014). Each marker was analysed individually under the GTRGAMMA model and bootstrapping was stopped automatically. The resulting phylogenies of nuclear ribosomal ITS and ETS were checked manually for supported conflicts (bootstrap support in both phylogenies ≥70). The phylogenies of the plastid markers were also checked for supported conflicts. In both cases topologies were congruent, and nuclear ribosomal markers and plastid markers were each combined in one dataset, respectively. Samples that had only data for one marker were removed from the combined datasets. Phylogenetic ML analyses were carried out for the nuclear ribosomal (nr) and the plastid dataset in RAxML with the same settings as for the individual markers. Bayesian Inference (BI) analyses of the ITS and the nr dataset were carried out using BEAST v2.6.3 (Bouckaert & al. 2019) on XSEDE (CIPRES Science Gateway; Miller & al. 2010). We used jModeltest2 (Darriba & al. 2012) on XSEDE to infer the optimal substitution model under the Akaike Information Criterion in BEAST, resulting in the models TIM2ef+G (ITS dataset) and TIM1+G (nr dataset). Initial values for gamma shape were taken from jModeltest2 results. The BI analyses were run three times each under the speciation birth-death-model using a strict clock model (for the nr dataset) for 10 million generations.

For the ITS dataset we used an uncorrelated relaxed log-normal clock and a substitution rate with a uniform distribution between 0.00251–0.00783 substitutions/site/million years (Kay & al. 2006) to obtain an age estimate for the phylogeny. Trees were sampled every 1000^th generation. Convergence of each run was checked using Tracer v1.6 (Rambaut & al. 2014) to ensure that the effective sampling size was ≥ 200. A maximum clade credibility (MCC) tree with mean heights was constructed for each run in TreeAnnotator v1.8.4 (Rambaut & Drummond 2015) while removing 10% of the trees as burn-in. The MCC trees were visualized in FigTree v1.4.2.8 ( http://tree.bio.ed.ac.uk/software/figtree/).

Molecular phylogeny

In our BI analysis of combined ITS and ETS sequences (Fig. 1), three major clades were resolved. Clade I, the Tephroseris integrifolia clade, contains T. palustris as sister to T. integrifolia. Of the 17 accessions of T. integrifolia, the Finnmark material (subsp. “tundricola”, one accession only) is highly supported sister to the remaining accessions of the species, which form a highly supported clade including accessions of subsp. capitata (non-monophyletic), subsp. integrifolia (non-monophyletic), subsp. maritima (non-monophyletic) and subsp. serpentini (one accession only). Clade II contains T. pseudosonchus (Vaniot) C. Jeffrey & Y. L. Chen, T. flammea (DC.) Holub, T. rufa (Hand.-Mazz.) B. Nord. and T. kirilowii (DC.) Holub from East Asia. Clade III, the T. longifolia clade, contains all material of T. balbisiana from its three disjunct partial ranges, which together are sister to a clade with four accessions of T. papposa (possibly monophyletic), two accessions of T. longifolia (non-monophyletic), five accessions of T. helenitis (non-monophyletic) and four accessions of T. crispa (non-monophyletic). Relationships among these three clades could not be resolved.

In our analysis of ITS alone (Fig. 2), which contains a larger sample, many relationships were not resolved. However, in a large and supported clade of Tephroseris integrifolia (not including one sequence of subsp. capitata obtained from GenBank), the Finnmark accession of the species again was sister to the remaining material, and this clade also contained two accessions of subsp. aurantiaca. Tephroseris palustris, sister to T. integrifolia in the combined ITS/ETS analysis, was recovered as strongly supported sister to the arctic T. yukonensis (A. E. Porsild) Holub. Clade III of the ITS/ETS analysis did not receive support, but the material of T. balbisiana from its three disjunct partial ranges again had very high support as a clade. No phylogenetic resolution was obtained using the plastid data.

The age of the Tephroseris integrifolia clade (clade I excluding T. palustris and T. yukonensis) was found to be 1.76 (0.85–2.87) ma. Clade III, as in our ITS analysis (Fig. 2) could not be resolved as supportedly monophyletic and could not be dated. However, comparison in a chronogram (not shown) showed that it is slightly older than the T. integrifolia clade.

Phylogeny of Tephroseris in Europe outside Russia

Based on our combined ITS/ETS phylogeny (Fig. 1) and the phylogeny of a larger sample using only ITS (Fig. 2), we conclude that European Tephroseris consists of three lineages. The first lineage (clade I of our ITS/ETS phylogeny except T. palustris) consists of T. integrifolia with all the subspecies recognized here. This lineage, by also containing T. integrifolia subsp. karsiana (Matthews) B. Nord., T. integrifolia subsp. caucasigena (Schischk.) Greuter and T. integrifolia var. leiocarpa (Boiss.) B. Nord. in our ITS phylogeny (Fig. 2), is also distributed in SW Asia where these three taxa occur. Inclusion particularly of Russian species of Tephroseris may reveal a much wider geographical distribution of this lineage. The second lineage is represented by T. palustris, which in our ITS phylogeny is closely related to the Arctic T. yukonensis. Such relationship may be supported by the very dense indumentum of long arachnoid hairs on peduncles and capitula of both these species. The third lineage is formed by what we treat here as T. balbisiana, T. crispa, T. helenitis, T. longifolia and T. papposa, and appears to be an entirely European lineage. However, further species sampling outside Europe may reveal that this conclusion is not justified. The sister relationship between T. balbisiana on the one hand and the other four species on the other hand is perfectly plausible from a morphological point of view, because T. balbisiana is quite similar particularly to Apennine material of T. longifolia (see also below).

Table 2.

GenBank accession numbers of all material used in this study. * = newly sequenced in this study; na = not applicable.

Continued

Continued

The phylogenetic results obtained are not helpful for species or subspecies delimitation because only Tephroseris integrifolia (with non-monophyletic subspecies), T. balbisiana and T. papposa were resolved as monophyletic. These results essentially confirm what had already been shown by Skokanová & al. (2019). These authors also obtained little supported phylogenetic resolution and found, across their phylogeny, that single species contained several ribotypes and that ribotypes were shared among species. Our treatment of clade I as one species (T. integrifolia with several subspecies) and of clade III as five species (T. balbisiana, T. crispa, T. helenitis, T. longifolia, T. papposa) may appear unbalanced in view of the somewhat similar phylogenetic structure of the two clades, i.e. their comparable lack of phylogenetic resolution. Because of lack of phylogenetic resolution, delimitation of species and subspecies here mainly followed morphology, geographical distribution and ecology and also made an attempt to follow recent taxonomic practice in the genus in Europe. As intermediate forms exist among essentially all species recognized in clade III, it also would be justifiable to treat the entire clade (apart from T. balbisiana) as one species (T. longifolia) with several subspecies. Such treatment would also reflect the more or less allopatric distributions of T. crispa, T. helenitis, T. longifolia and T. papposa (Fig. 15), as also discussed by Meusel & Jäger (1992). Whereas T. helenitis is western to central European, and T. papposa is clearly southeastern European, T. crispa and T. longifolia are found between these two, with T. crispa having a more northern distribution at lower altitudes and T. longifolia a more southern distribution at mostly higher altitudes. Although our ITS/ETS and ITS phylogenies did not succeed in resolving species and species relationships in many instances, the use of more variable markers and a very broad sample of the genus in Europe might achieve this aim. For example, the use of AFLP markers by Skokanová & al. (2019) demonstrated that genetic groups congruent with taxa recognized by them can be resolved better than with ITS (but see discussion under T. longifolia).

Fig. 1.

Phylogeny of Tephroseris p.p. based on combined ITS and ETS sequences. The sample includes mainly taxa from Europe outside Russia plus some extra-European taxa. Support values > 0.9 (posterior probability) and ≥70% (ML bootstrap) are indicated.

Species identification

Except for our treatment of Tephroseris balbisiana, T. coincyi and T. elodes as one species, i.e. T. balbisiana, the species we recognize here do not differ from those recognized in major European treatments (Chater & Walters 1976; Meusel & Jäger 1992; Greuter 2006+). We hope, however, that our discussion and comparison of characters, our identification key, which also uses geographical distribution and ecology, and particularly our illustrations of specimens and leaves will be of more assistance in species identification than any existing key. Although Jäger (2011) hypothesized (for T. integrifolia subsp. vindelicorum Krach) that long isolation had resulted in ecologically and morphologically differentiated populations, which then have often been recognized as distinct taxa (a plausible hypothesis considering the rather scattered distribution of essentially all species), no support for this could be found in population genetic analyses of T. integrifolia (Isaakson 2009; Meindl 2011) and T. helenitis (Pflugbeil 2012).

Fig. 2.

Phylogeny of Tephroseris p.p. based on ITS sequences. The sample includes mainly taxa from Europe outside Russia plus some extra-European taxa. Support values > 0.9 (posterior probability) and ≥ 70% (ML bootstrap) are indicated.

The molecular dating analysis of Tephroseris by Skokanová & al. (2019) and us places diversification of the genus well in the Quaternary, confirming the long-held view that Tephroseris in Europe is best interpreted as a glacial relic (T. integrifolia: Engler 1879; Böcher & al. 1946; Pigott & Walters 1954; T. palustris: Engler 1879; T. helenitis: Pflugbeil 2012). We believe that the weak morphological differentiation among the species has mainly two explanations. First, the species are of very young age and have had little time for differentiation. Second, the climatic oscillations of the Quaternary have led to substantial changes in geographical distribution resulting in between-lineage contact and genetic exchange (Anderson 1948; Anderson & Stebbins 1954; Hewitt 2011), which may have repeatedly blurred boundaries among diverging entities. Both these factors, as incomplete lineage sorting in a geologically young lineage and/or as admixture among lineages, would explain sharing of ribotypes between species and ribotype polymorphisms within species as reported by Skokanová & al. (2019).

Taxonomic account

1. Tephroseris palustris (L.) Rchb., Fl. Saxon.: 146. 1842 ≡ Othonna palustris L., Sp. Pl.: 924. 1753. – Lectotype (designated by Jeffrey & Chen in Kew Bull. 39: 284. 1984): Herb. Linn. No. 1000.13 ( LINN). – Fig. 3, 4D, E.

= Cineraria congesta R. Br., Chlor. Melvill.: 21. 1823 ≡ Senecio congestus (R. Br.) DC., Prodr. 6: 363. 1838. – Holotype: Canada, 1819–1820, Parry s.n. ( BM 001041631).

Fig. 3.

Tephroseris palustris – [Netherlands], Noord Holland, Ankeveen, 17 May 1959, G. Een s.n. (S).

Fig. 4.

Leaves of Tephroseris balbisiana – A: Spain, Granada, Sierra Nevada, an der Strasse Capileira–Mulhacén, 31 Aug 1985, R. Vogt 4214 (B); B: [Italy], Piemonte, Prov. Cuneo, in humidis montis M. Mascaron supra Val Pesio, Jun 1899, C. Bicknell s.n. (WU); C: [Spain], Prov. d'Avila, Sierra de Villafranca, Puerto de la Peña Negra, 19 Jun 1979, B. de Retz 79344 (H); and of T. palustris – D: [Netherlands], Noord Holland, Ankeveen, 17 May 1959, G. Een s.n. (S); E: [Germany], Mark Brandenburg, Beetzer See, 11 Oct 1992, Erzberger s.n. (B).

Description — Plants annual, 20–100 cm tall, sometimes taller, erect, unbranched below or occasionally branched from base. Axis hollow, conspicuously thickened to almost bulbous at base particularly in large plants, with numerous short adventitious roots. Axis often reddish/purplish, mostly glabrous at base and with increasingly dense indumentum toward apex. Lower leaves 7–30 × 0.5–4.5 cm, rarely larger, oblanceolate, gradually narrowing toward base, mostly without distinct petiole, entire to very coarsely and distantly dentate-serrate to pinnatifid, margin often undulate; basal and lower cauline leaves withered at anthesis; cauline leaves decreasing in size toward apex, upper cauline leaves lanceolate to oblong or linear, often entire, often somewhat amplexicaul; basal and lower leaves mostly glabrous, upper leaves with increasingly dense indumentum toward apex. Capitula rarely few (and then sometimes in pseudoumbels), mostly very many in very dense panicles, nodding after anthesis until fruiting time. Involucral bracts 16–24, 4–10 mm long. Base of capitula and involucral bracts mostly with dense indumentum of very long arachnoid hairs, rarely indumentum sparse. Ray florets 14–21, 5.5–10 × 1.5–2.5 mm, light yellow. Achenes 3.5–4.5 mm long, glabrous, light brown; pappus conspicuously elongating after anthesis, up to 20 mm long, white.

Chromosome number — 2n = 48 (Watanabe 2002).

Phenology — Flowering and fruiting from May to August.

Habitat — The species grows on wet or drying and essentially completely open ground on the shores of lakes or ditches, in peat bogs or on raw soils where it often can be found in great numbers, but only transitionally.

Distribution — For distribution in Europe and globally see Meusel & Jäger (1992, sub Senecio congestus). For more detailed distribution see: Snowarski (2000–2021, Poland, sub S. congestus), NDFF & FLORON (2021, Netherlands), Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) (2021, Germany).

Conservation status — Following Kochjarová (2006), the species is extinct in the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. The species is critically endangered in Sweden, endangered in France, vulnerable in the Netherlands, rare in Lithuania and not endangered in Germany (but in danger of extinction in parts of it). In Poland the species also is not endangered (Snowarski 2000–2021). The possible decline of Tephroseris palustris in the Netherlands has been discussed by van der Slikke (1998).

Remarks — Of all species of Tephroseris in Europe, T. palustris is most distinct by its annual habit, its indumentum, plants mostly glabrous below but densely arachnoid with long hairs above, the arrangement of its capitula (unless there are only very few) in panicles rather than in pseudoumbels, mostly rather short ray florets, capitula nodding after pollination, and a pappus that elongates very strongly and to up to 2 cm long after anthesis. The leaves can be more or less clearly dissected, which cannot be seen in any other European species. The species has often been described as viscid. This we cannot confirm after examination of living material (Kadereit pers. obs.) although very short glandular hairs with a minute glandular head are present on all parts that have an indumentum. Although the species has been described as annual, biennial or perennial (e.g. Chater & Walters 1976), the most detailed account of its habit (Hayek 1928) described it as a winter annual (einjährig-überwinternd) that grows into large rosettes in autumn and starts flowering in the following summer. Cultivation of the species showed that plants developed from germination to flowering within four months, after which they died (Kadereit pers. obs.). Although the species is self-incompatible (Kadereit pers. obs.), its annual habit, the large number of capitula and the rather small ray florets all are best interpreted as characters related to its colonizing life style. It can colonize newly available habitats in vast numbers, as presently in the construction of the Marker Wadden in the Marken Meer (Netherlands), where very large populations of the species can be seen (S. Claessens, ‘s-Graveland, pers. comm.). Its colonizing ability but transient presence are also well illustrated in the accounts by Runge (1960–1987), who described the massive appearance of the species in NW Germany, apparently originating from a newly constructed polder in the Netherlands (Flevoland, Zuidersee), and its subsequent disappearance.

Although Reichenbach (1841) had treated Tephroseris palustris as part of Tephroseris, but in a different infrageneric group (Heloseris unranked) than the other species (Tephroseris unranked), the species was, as described above, excluded by later authors. However, irrespective of its unusual and quite divergent morphology, it is clearly part of Tephroseris as is evident from molecular phylogenetic accounts of the genus (Golden & al. 2001; Wang & al. 2009). Considering our own molecular results, where the species was found to be sister to the Arctic T. yukonensis in our analysis of ITS (Fig. 2), and those of Golden & al. (2001), where a supported clade with the Arctic T. fuscata as sister to T. palustris plus the Arctic T. yukonensis was resolved, it seems very likely that T. palustris is of Arctic origin. Indeed, the species is very widespread across the Arctic of the Old and New Worlds (Meusel & Jäger 1992, sub Senecio congestus), where it has been described as frequent in all but one of the subareas used in the panarctic flora (Elven 2021). In the Arctic, the species has often been treated (or labelled on herbarium sheets) as S. congestus (based on Cineraria congesta). This taxon has never been combined into Tephroseris at specific rank, but only at subspecific rank as T. palustris subsp. congesta (R. Br.) Holub. Although the Arctic material has pinnatifid leaves more commonly than the European material, Arctic material is highly variable and cannot be separated from European material. In consequence, no separate taxon should be recognized for the Arctic material, as was also concluded by Barkley & Murray (2006).

Selected specimens seen — [France], parties inondées des marais des dunes de Monchaux près Quend (Somme), 28 May 1867, B. de Brutelett s.n. (B); Belgium, Liège, Lanaye, au pied du Thier de Lanaye, plaine alluvial de la Meuse, 20 May 1971, J. Duvigneaud 71 B 195 (H); [Netherlands], Noord Holland, Ankeveen, 17 May 1959, G. Een s.n. (S); [Netherlands], Ankeveense polder near Bussum, floating sod, peaty soil, 19 Jun 1955, A. J. M. Leeuwenberg & al. s.n. (H); [Germany], Mark Brandenburg, Beetzer See, 11 Oct 1992, Erzberger s.n. (B); [Germany], Rathenow, Graben nordwestlich vom Kleßener See, 1 Jul 1980, D. Benkert s.n. (B); [Belarus], in pratis ad ripas fluminis Struma prope vicum Szarkowszczyzna, 6 Jul 1938, I. Dab-kowska s.n. (B); [Latvia], Rēzekne region, Ančupani hills, in a gravel pit, 15 Jun 1980, G. Klavina 53291 (B); Estonia, Tartu province, Kallaste village, ruderal area on shore, 16 Aug 1993, R. Lampinen 18124 (H).

2. Tephroseris integrifolia (L.) Holub in Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 8: 173. 1973 ≡ Othonna integrifolia L., Sp. Pl.: 925. 1753. – Type: not designated. – Protologue: “Habitat in Alpibus Pyrenaicis, Helveticis, Austriacis, Sibiricis”. – Fig. 6–14.

Tephroseris integrifolia as understood by us comprises clade I of Fig. 1, except for T. palustris, and clade I of Fig. 2, except for T. palustris and T. yukonensis. The species can be recognized mostly by its leaves and inflorescence. The leaves are commonly entire, the lowest ones often persistent until flowering and more or less appressed to the ground with blades that are commonly as long as or longer than the petiole. Leaf size mostly decreases rather sharply in the basal quarter of the axis and leaves commonly become sessile in that part of the axis. The species also mostly has a rather dense and persistent arachnoid indumentum. The inflorescence often consists of rather few and often small capitula that are rather densely aggregated at flowering time. Capitula are mostly densely arachnoid at the base with involucral bracts that are often glabrous or very sparsely arachnoid at least in their upper half. There are exceptions to all these characters (see subspecies). We recognize six subspecies.

Fig. 5.

Geographical distribution of Tephroseris integrifolia (modified from Meusel & Jäger 1994).

2a. Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. integrifolia – Fig. 6, 7.

= Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. vindelicorum Krach in Mitt. Bot. Staatssamml. München 27: 76. 1988. – Holotype: Germany, Jun 1908, F. Vollmann s.n. ( M 0030348).

Description — Plants perennial, 9–90 cm tall, erect, mostly unbranched below. Rootstock short, erect or oblique. Axis glabrescent, sparsely to more rarely densely white arachnoid or floccose at base at flowering time, increasingly densely white arachnoid toward apex. Lowermost leaves at flowering time 2–7 × 1–3 cm, more or less appressed to ground, petiole mostly shorter than blade, more rarely as long as blade, blade mostly broadly ovate, mostly entire or more rarely denticulate to sinuate-denticulate; lower cauline leaves up to 16 × 2 cm, mostly long petiolate, blade narrowly ovate, obovate or elliptic, mostly entire; cauline leaves increasingly sessile toward apex, mostly entire, upper cauline leaves lanceolate to linear; lower leaves sparsely to densely arachnoid or floccose on both surfaces, upper leaves increasingly white arachnoid. Capitula 2–8 in pseudoumbel, rarely 1 in very small specimens, mostly rather densely aggregated at flowering time; peduncle mostly 1–2.5 cm long at anthesis, rarely longer. Involucral bracts 18–32, 5.5–8 mm long, usually green. Capitula often white arachnoid at base; involucral bracts often glabrous or very sparsely white arachnoid in upper half. Ray florets 10–15, 6–13 × 2–3 mm, yellow, spreading. Capitula sometimes discoid. Achenes 2.5–3.5 mm long, pubescent, brown; pappus 5–9 mm long, white.

Chromosome number — 2n = 48, 96 (Watanabe 2002).

Phenology — Flowering and fruiting from (April to) May to June.

Habitat — Subspecies integrifolia mostly grows in dry calcareous grassland at low altitudes.

Distribution — For overall distribution see Meusel & Jäger (1992) and Fig. 5. For more detailed distribution see: Snowarski (2000–2021, Poland, sub Senecio integrifolius), Bartha & al. (2021, Hungary), Online Atlas of the British and Irish Flora (2021, United Kingdom), Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) (2021, Germany), Tela Botanica (2021, France), Bartolucci & al. (2018, Italy), Sârbu & al. (2005, Romania, sub S. integrifolius subsp. integrifolius), Pladias (2014–2021, Czech Republic); see also Kochjarová (1997).

Conservation status — The subspecies is vulnerable in Poland (Snowarski 2000–2021), endangered/critically endangered in Sweden, endangered in Switzerland, endangered in the Czech Republic, vulnerable/endangered in the United Kingdom, endangered and regionally critically endangered in Austria, critically endangered and extremely rare and strongly declining in Germany and (subsp. vindelicorum, see below) in danger of extinction in Germany.

Fig. 6.

Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. integrifolia – [Austria], Pannonischer Bezirk, Ebreichsdorf, 25 May 1964, Schönbeck s.n. (WU).

Fig. 7.

Leaves of Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. integrifolia – A: [Switzerland], audessus d'Arzier, Jul 1874, Bernet s.n. (H); B: [Austria], Pannonischer Bezirk, Ebreichsdorf, 25 May 1964, Schönbeck s.n. (WU); C: [Austria], Flora Austriae infer., an der Donau, 15 May 1915, s.coll. s.n. (O); D: [France], Montchambert, 20 Jun 1869, Davall s.n. (B); E: [Hungary], bei Budapest, 12 May 1906, E. Janchen s.n. (WU).

Remarks — Populations of Tephroseris integrifolia from Lechfeld, a fluvial gravel plain south of Augsburg (Germany), were described as T. integrifolia subsp. vindelicorum by Krach (1988). These plants, according to Krach (1988), differ from subsp. integrifolia mainly by their smaller size in all vegetative characters and by often having discoid capitula, but mainly in their different chromosome number. This is 2n = 96 in subsp. vindelicorum but 2n = 48 in subsp. integrifolia. The longer anthers and larger stomata of subsp. vindelicorum may be related to this difference in ploidy level. However, Krach (1988) also reported counts of 2n = 96 from two other populations geographically remote from Lechfeld, at least one of which (Grettstadt) was classified as subsp. integrifolia. As a result of an AFLP analysis of a large sample of T. integrifolia from Bavaria, where populations classified as subsp. vindelicorum could not be separated from populations classified as subsp. integrifolia, Meindl (2011) concluded that taxonomic recognition of the Lechfeld plants is not justified. We agree with this conclusion and do not recognize subsp. vindelicorum as a separate taxon. For Europe outside Russia, Greuter (2006+) listed T. integrifolia subsp. aucheri (DC.) B. Nord. as an additional subspecies of T. integrifolia. This taxon is here treated as T. papposa (see below).

Selected specimens seen — [Switzerland], audessus d'Arzier, Jul 1874, Bernet s.n. (H); [Switzerland], Vaud, Montchaubert, 1090 m, 20 Jun 1869, Davall s.n. (B); [Switzerland], Vaud, Col de Marchairuz, 1320 m, Weideland mit Tannen, 4 Jul 1973, M. Nydegger s.n. (H); [United Kingdom], Hampshire, Winchester, St Catherine's Hill, 11 Jun 1909, B. T. Lowne s.n. (K); [United Kingdom], Westmoreland, limestone range nr Brough, 1200–1500 ft, 1880, J. B. jun. & W. E. B. s.n. (E); [Germany], Lechfeld bei Augsburg, Aug 1871, A. Eyler s.n. (WU); Germany, Thüringen, Badra, 260 m, lichtes Betula-Gehölz über Gips, 20 May 2014, R. Hand 6496 (B); [Austria], Pannonischer Bezirk, Ebreichsdorf, 25 May 1964, Schönbeck s.n. (WU); [Austria], Flora Austriae infer., an der Donau, 15 May 1915, s.coll. s.n. (O); Hungary, bei Budapest, 12 May 1906, E. Janchen s.n. (WU); Poland, Distr. Pinczów, Krzyżanowice village, xerothermic grassland, 26 May 1986, A. Rostański s.n. (B); Estonia, zwischen Nomme und Reval, 11 Jun 1912, H. Lindberg s.n. (H); [Denmark], Jylland, Himmerland, Aug 1947, B. Hjorth-Olsen s.n. (O); [Sweden], Skåne, Lackalange, May 1895, A. Nordström s.n. (O).

2b. Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. aurantiaca (Willd.) B. Nord. in Opera Bot. 44: 44. 1978 ≡ Cineraria aurantiaca Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 2081. 1803. – Lectotype (designated here): Austria, 10 Jun, Hoppe s.n. ( B-W 16008-010; isolectotype:  W-Rchb. 1889-0029807). – Fig. 8, 9A, B.

Fig. 8.

Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. aurantiaca – [Austria], Kärnten, Glantschach, s.d., s.coll. s.n. (WU).

Fig. 9.

Leaves of Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. aurantiaca – A: [Austria], Kärnten, Glantschach, s.d., s.coll. s.n. (WU); B: [Austria], Stiria, Ober-Thal procul a Gratz, s.d., J. C. Eques a Pittoni s.n. (WU); and of T. integrifolia subsp. capitata – C: [Austria], Stiria superior, in pratis montis Gregerlnock (sive Rotkofel) prope pagum Turrach, Jul 1905, B. Fest s.n. (WU); D: [Austria], Kärnten, Aug 1880, Jabornegg s.n. (WU); E: [France], See-Alpen, Baisse Peyrefique, 8 Jul 1998, W. Gutermann, P. Schönswetter, A. Tribsch 32564 (WU).

Description — Plants perennial, 13–55 cm tall, erect, unbranched below. Rootstock short, erect or oblique. Axis sparsely arachnoid at base at flowering time, increasingly white arachnoid toward apex. Lower leaves 3–15 × 1.5–3.5 cm, distinctly petiolate, petiole mostly shorter than blade, rarely as long as blade, blade broadly to narrowly ovate to obovate, entire, distantly denticulate, dentate, coarsely dentate or sinuate; basal leaves often persisting until anthesis; cauline leaves increasingly sessile toward apex, mostly entire, upper cauline leaves lanceolate to linear; lower leaves mostly almost glabrous, rarely sparsely arachnoid or somewhat floccose, upper leaves increasingly white arachnoid. Capitula (1 or)2–6 in pseudoumbel; peduncle 1–2.5 cm long at anthesis, rarely longer, not extending much at fruiting time. Involucral bracts 14–26, 5–10 mm long, often purple, purplish or with purple tip. Capitula often white arachnoid at base; involucral bracts often glabrous or very sparsely white arachnoid in upper half. Ray florets 12–16, 5–11 × 1–3 mm, mostly deep orange, spreading. Capitula sometimes discoid. Achenes c. 3 mm long, pubescent, brown; pappus 7–10 mm long, white.

Chromosome number — 2n = 48, 96 (Watanabe 2002).

Phenology — Flowering and fruiting from May to June, rarely later.

Habitat — The subspecies mostly grows in dry to humid meadows from 450 to 1000 m.

Distribution — For overall distribution see Meusel & Jäger (1992, sub Senecio integrifolius subsp. aurantiacus) and Fig. 5. For more detailed distribution see: Snowarski (2000–2021, Poland, sub S. aurantiacus), Bartha & al. (2021, Hungary, sub Tephroseris aurantiaca), Pladias (2014–2021, Czech Republic, sub T. aurantiaca); see also Kochjarová (1997).

Following Meusel & Jäger (1992), and largely confirmed by the herbarium material we have seen, the subspecies occurs in the southeastern Alps and adjacent areas to the south (Istria) and southeast (Hungary) and in the Tatry mountains (Poland/Slovakia). Further north and east it can be found in southeastern Poland and western Ukraine. We cannot confirm occurrences further west in the Erzgebirge (Germany/Czech Republic).

Conservation status — The subspecies is endangered in Hungary, in danger of extinction in Austria, critically endangered in the Czech Republic, rare and declining since the beginning of the 20^th century in Slovenia (Leban & Anderle 2012), and endangered in Poland.

Remarks — Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. aurantiaca can be distinguished from subsp. integrifolia by the mostly sparse indumentum of its lower leaves and its mostly purplish or purplish tipped involucral bracts and deep orange florets. The taxon is rather invariable across its range. The two accessions of subsp. aurantiaca included in our ITS analysis (Fig. 2) were resolved as a supported clade with one accession of subsp. capitata.

Fig. 10.

Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. capitata – [Austria], Stiria superior, in pratis montis Gregerlnock (sive Rotkofel) prope pagum Turrach, Jul 1905, B. Fest s.n. (WU).

Selected specimens seen — [Austria], Kärnten, Glantschach, s.d., s.coll. s.n. (WU); [Austria], Stiria, Ober-Thal procul a Gratz, s.d., J. C. Eques a Pittoni s.n. (WU); [Austria], Carinthia, in pratis ad pedem montis Singer-Berg prope Unterbergen, 450 m, s.d., Jabornegg s.n. (H); [Austria], Trockenwiese oberhalb Robesch, Karawanken, Kleinobir-N, 750 m, 27 Jun 1990, G. H. Leute 9452/4 (WU); [Slovakia], in jugis montium Muramje fensik cottus Gömör, 4 Jun 1906, Filarszky & Kümmerle s.n. (H); [Slovenia], Sveta planina in Krain, s.d., H. Freyer s.n. (H); [Ukraine], Galicia orient., Jaryna prope Janów, 14 Jun 1897, E. Wołoszczak s.n. (WU).

2c. Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. capitata (Wahlenb.) B. Nord. in Opera Bot. 44: 45. 1978 ≡ Cineraria capitata Wahlenb., Fl. Carpat. Princ.: 271. 1814. – Lectotype (according to Sweden's Virtual Herbarium, designation not indicated): Slovakia, 21 Aug 1813, G. Wahlenberg s.n. (UPS V-081606 n.v.). – Fig. 9C–E, 10.

Description — Plants perennial, 15–45 cm tall, erect, mostly unbranched below. Rootstock short, erect or oblique. Axis mostly densely arachnoid or floccose at base at flowering time, increasingly densely white arachnoid toward apex. Lowermost leaves at flowering time 2–8 × 1.5–3 cm, petiole mostly shorter than blade, broadly winged, blade mostly broadly ovate, mostly dentate to sinuate; lower cauline leaves up to 16 × 2 cm, mostly long petiolate, blade narrowly ovate, obovate or elliptic, mostly entire; cauline leaves increasingly sessile toward apex, mostly entire, upper cauline leaves lanceolate to linear; lower leaves mostly densely arachnoid to somewhat floccose, upper leaves increasingly white arachnoid. Capitula 2–6 in pseudoumbel; peduncle 1–2.5 cm long at anthesis, rarely longer. Involucral bracts 18–24, 8–12 mm long, purple, purplish or with purple tip. Capitula often white arachnoid at base; involucral bracts often glabrous or very sparsely white arachnoid in upper half. Ray florets 12–17, 5–12 × 2–3 mm, mostly deep orange, spreading. Capitula sometimes discoid. Achenes 3–4 mm long, pubescent, brown; pappus 7–10 mm long, white.

Chromosome number — 2n = 48, 64, 96 (Watanabe 2002; Mráz 2005).

Phenology — Flowering and fruiting from July to August.

Habitat — The species mostly grows in subalpine to alpine dry to humid meadows from 1500 to 2440 m.

Distribution — For overall distribution see Meusel & Jäger (1992, sub Senecio integrifolius subsp. capitatus) and Fig. 5. For more detailed distribution see: Snowarski (2000–2021, Poland, sub S. capitatus), Tela Botanica (2021, France), Info flora (2021, Switzerland, sub Tephroseris capitata), Bartolucci & al. (2018, Italy), Sârbu & al. (2005, Romania, sub S. integrifolius subsp. capitatus); see also Kochjarová (1997).

The subspecies is distributed mainly in two areas of the Alps, namely Kärnten and Steiermark (Austria) in the east and mainly the Maritime Alps in the west. We have seen some specimens (e.g. Kellerjoch, Tirol, Austria; Mt Generoso, Switzerland) from outside these two major ranges.

Conservation status — The subspecies is endangered in Austria, vulnerable to endangered in Switzerland and vulnerable in Poland.

Remarks — Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. capitata differs from subsp. integrifolia mainly in the colour of its involucre and florets and in its altitudinal distribution. Also, those lower leaves present at flowering time in subsp. capitata are not appressed to the ground, the petiole is mostly quite broadly winged, and the leaf margin is mostly dentate to sinuate. The distinction between subsp. aurantiaca and subsp. capitata, both of which mostly have capitula with an at least partly purple involucre and deep orange florets, is also fairly straightforward. Subspecies capitata has a much denser indumentum than subsp. aurantiaca, and the two subspecies differ in leaf morphology. In subsp. aurantiaca the lower leaves persist and are appressed to the ground in much the same way as in subsp. integrifolia and also have a short but mostly narrow petiole; they are also often entire. In contrast, the lower leaves of subsp. capitata are as described above. Importantly, the altitudinal distribution of the two subspecies is also different: subsp. aurantiaca grows between 450 and 1000 m, whereas subsp. capitata grows between 1500 and 2440 m.

The four accessions of Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. capitata included in our molecular analysis (Fig. 1, 2) were not resolved as closest relatives to each other. Interestingly, a chromosome number of 2n = 64 was reported for subsp. capitata by Váchová (1970) and Kochjarová (1997; see Mráz 2005). This number differs from the commonly reported chromosome numbers of 2n = 48 and 2n = 96 found in the genus and also in subsp. capitata and implies, as suggested by Mráz (2005), a basic number of x = 8. Diploid (2n = 16) or tetraploid (2n = 32) species based on this number have not been reported in Tephroseris, but tetraploid species are known in Ligularia (Watanabe 2002).

Selected specimens seen — [Austria], Stiria superior, in pratis montis Gregerlnock (sive Rotkofel) prope pagum Turrach, Jul 1905, B. Fest s.n. (WU); [Austria], Kärnten, Aug 1880, Jabornegg s.n. (WU); Austria, Steiermark, Wölzer Tauern, Klosterneuburgerhütte–Niederer Zinken–Hoher Zinken–Schießeck, 1880–2275 m, basenreicher Rasen, 19 Jul 2003, A. Tribsch 9066 (O); [France], See-Alpen, Baisse Peyrefique, 8 Jul 1998, W. Gutermann, P. Schönswetter, A. Tribsch 32564 (WU); Italy, Piemonte, Cuneo, Valle Stura di Delmonte, c. 5 km NE of Sambuco, Monte Omo, 2440 m, 17 Jul 2009, M. Ristow 789/09 & al. (B); France, Alpes de Haute Provence, Kottische Alpen, Bec de Liévre, 2720 m, 12 Jul 2003, M. Wiedermann 9202 (WU); [France], Basses-Alpes, Col de Larche, 2000 m, 28 Jun & 6 Jul 1897, G. Vidal s.n. (O); [France], Hautes Alpes, Tal der Aigue Blanche, SE von St Véran, 17 Jul 1970, D. Müller-Doblies & Döbbeler 8676 (B); [France], Val Casterino, Tenda, Alp. Mar. Liguria, 2100 m, 11 Jul 1897, C. Bicknell s.n. (H); [Romania], Flora Transsilvanica, in reg. alp. montis Butschetsch, supra Busteni, 10 Jun 1912, J. Bornmüller s.n. (B); [Slovakia], Bel. Tatra, 1600 m, in hochalpinen Bergwiesen, 16 Jul 1966, W. Hempel s.n. (B).

Fig. 11.

Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. maritima – [United Kingdom], Anglesey, in scopulis prope Holyhead, Jun 1889, J. E. Griffith s.n. (H).

Fig. 12.

Leaves of Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. serpentini – A, B: [Austria], Burgenland, Bernsteiner Gebirge, zwischen Redlschlag und Bernstein, 14 May 2011, G. & M. A. Fischer s.n. (WU 2 sheets); and of T. integrifolia subsp. maritima – C: [United Kingdom], sea cliffs near the South Stack nr Holyhead, 14 Jun 1930, A. Wilson 968 (S); D: [United Kingdom], Anglesey, in scopulis prope Holyhead, Jun 1889, J. E. Griffith s.n. (H); and of T. integrifolia subsp. “tundricola” – E: [Norway], Finnmark, Vardø, Hestmannes, 1 km Ø f Austerelva i Persfjord, 28 Jul 1987, K. A. Lye 12866 (O).

There exist three very locally distributed taxa, which we recognize here as subspecies of Tephroseris integrifolia.

2d. Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. maritima (Syme) B. Nord. in Opera Bot. 44: 45. 1978 ≡ Senecio campestris var. maritimus Syme in Sowerby, Engl. Bot., ed. 3, 5: 90. 1866. – Type: not designated. – Protologue: “on maritime rocks near Holyhead, Angle-sea”. – Fig. 11, 12C, D.

This perennial subspecies, known only from South Stack to Porth Ruffydd in Anglesey, Wales (Fig. 5; Stroh 2016), and originally described as Senecio campestris var. maritima Syme, somewhat resembles Tephroseris helenitis. Similarity to T. helenitis is most obvious in leaf morphology: the indumentum of the lower leaf surface is clearly more dense than that of the upper leaf surface, the upper leaf surface is somewhat rugose (well illustrated in Babington 1882) and the leaf margin is often narrowly revolute and somewhat sinuate-dentate. Babington (1882) had classified this population as S. spathulifolius, a synonym of T. helenitis, and we expected subsp. maritima to be part of T. helenitis considering its morphology and its ecology, which is clearly different from that of T. integrifolia subsp. integrifolia (see below). Interestingly, plants from coastal populations of T. helenitis in Normandy, classified as S. helenitis subsp. candidus (Corb.) Brunerye by Brunerye (1969), now T. helenitis subsp. candida (Corb.) B. Nord., look similar to subsp. maritima. Much to our surprise, our molecular data clearly place subsp. maritima in the T. integrifolia clade, where the three accessions sequenced are not closest relative to each other (Fig. 1, 2). Such relationship may be supported by the ratio of petiole to blade – the petiole of basal leaves is mostly shorter than the blade in T. integrifolia but mostly longer in T. helenitis – and by the rather short peduncles at flowering time – these are often rather short (< 2 cm) in T. integrifolia but often longer in T. helenitis. However, none of these characters is sufficiently distinct quantitatively to be absolutely reliable for taxon differentiation and for recognition of relationships. Subspecies maritima is ecologically very distinct from subsp. integrifolia. Whereas subsp. integrifolia in England and in much of its overall range is a plant of calcareous grassland (Smith 1979; Stroh & al. 2017), subsp. maritima is found on the tops of cliffs formed from mica schists, sandstone and shale, where the soil is derived chiefly from glacial drift, is rich in organic matter and has a pH of 5.5–7 (Smith 1979). Considering its limited and disjunct distribution and morphological and ecological distinctness, we believe it is justified to treat the Welsh population as a subspecies of T. integrifolia. However, its inclusion in T. integrifolia makes it even more difficult to distinguish T. integrifolia from T. helenitis, a distinction considered unconvincing by, e.g., Pigott & Walters (1954). It would be interesting to grow subsp. maritima in order to determine to what extend its morphology is the result of phenotypic plasticity.

Fig. 13.

Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. serpentini – [Austria], Burgenland, Bernsteiner Gebirge, zwischen Redlschlag und Bernstein, 14 May 2011, G. & M. A. Fischer s.n. (WU).

Chromosome number — 2n = 48 (Smith 1979).

Conservation status — The one population known of subsp. maritima has been assessed as vulnerable.

Remarks — Material of Tephroseris from Westmorland and Yorkshire, now apparently extinct (Smith 1964; Halliday 1997), had also been classified as T. helenitis by Babington (1882, as Senecio spathulifolius), and Halliday (1997) considered these northern populations to be more similar to subsp. maritima than to subsp. integrifolia. The material we have seen of these northern populations is in our opinion partly very similar to subsp. integrifolia and partly more similar to subsp. maritima. Our molecular results (Fig. 1, 2) clearly place this material in T. integrifolia but, considering the lack of resolution in our trees, do not allow us to decide whether they are more closely related to subsp. integrifolia or to subsp. maritima.

Selected specimens seen — [United Kingdom], Holyhead, near South Stack, cliffs, Jun 1884, J. E. Griffith s.n. (WU); [United Kingdom], Anglesey, in scopulis prope Holyhead, Jun 1889, J. E. Griffith s.n. (H); [United Kingdom], sea cliffs near the South Stack nr Holyhead, 14 Jun 1930, A. Wilson 968 (S).

2e. Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. serpentini (Gáyer) B. Nord. in Opera Bot. 44: 45. 1978 ≡ Senecio serpentini Gáyer in Vasvárm. Szombathely Város Kultúregyes. Vasvárm. Múz. Évk. 1: 7. 1925. – Type: not designated. – Protologue: “S. Serpentini (S. spathulifolius Waisb.) e mte Steinstückl ad Borostyánkö”. – Note: the specimen BM  001025990 is indicated as “type” on JSTOR Global Plants, but the collection date (11 Jun 1928) is later than the publication date of S. serpentini. – Fig. 12A, B, 13.

An ecologically specialized population from serpentine has been treated as a subspecies of Tephroseris integrifolia, i.e. subsp. serpentini by, e.g., Fischer & al. (2005; for illustration and description see also Fischer & al. 2015). This population is known only from Steinstückl near Redlschlag in Burgenland, Austria (Fig. 5; Fischer & al. 2005; see also Punz & al. 2010). Plants from this population are perennial, between 20–60 cm tall, where tall plants > 40 cm are more frequent than smaller plants, and most conspicuously often have involucral bracts that are purplish-brownish throughout, or at least at their tips, and have orange florets. However, there are individuals that have entirely green involucral bracts and yellow florets. The population is quite variable in terms of indumentum, with plants commonly but not always glabrescent below, and is particularly variable in leaf shape. Whereas leaves can be entire and lower leaves can have a blade longer than the petiole, as in typical subsp. integrifolia, leaves can also have coarsely dentate or serrate margins (Fig. 12B) approaching the leaf shape of T. longifolia. Capitula at flowering time are not as tightly aggregated as in subsp. integrifolia. As stated by Fischer & al. (2005), this population requires further study. For the moment, as argued for subsp. maritima, it should be treated at subspecific rank because of its morphological and ecological distinctness combined with its very local distribution. Because plants from serpentine are in general often somewhat impoverished in comparison to conspecifics from non-serpentine (Macnair & Gardner 1998), the rather tall habit of subsp. serpentini may suggest that the population is well adapted to its habitat and not only a modification as discussed by Fischer & al. (2005).

Selected specimens seen — [Austria], Burgenland, Bernsteiner Gebirge, zwischen Redlschlag und Bernstein, 14 May 2011, G. & M. A. Fischer s.n. (WU); [Austria], Burgenland, Steinstückl bei Redlschlag, lichter Kiefernforst/Schlagflur, 30 May 2011, B. Knickmann 20110530 (WU); [Austria],, Steinstückl, Bernstein, 27 May 1928, G. Gáyer s.n. (H).

2f. Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. “tundricola” (Tolm.) B. Nord. in Opera Bot. 44: 45. 1978 ≡ Senecio tundricola Tolm. in Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR 1928: 266. 1928. – Lectotype (designated here): Russia, 21 Aug 1926, A. Tolmatchew 756 ( S 16-55505; isolectotype:  S 16-55496). – Note: The name might not be applicable to the Finnmark material (see below for discussion). – Fig. 12E, 14.

Fig. 14.

Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. “tundricola” – [Norway], Finnmark, Vardø, Hestmannes, 1 km Ø f Austerelva i Persfjord, 28 Jul 1987, K. A. Lye 12866 (O).

Fig. 15.

Geographical distribution of Tephroseris balbisiana, T. crispa, T. helenitis, T. longifolia and T. papposa (modified from Meusel & Jäger 1994).

In Scandinavia north of Denmark, Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. integrifolia is limited to southernmost Sweden (Widén 1987). However, the species also occurs in Finnmark in the very north of Norway (Fig. 5). The material we have seen from there differs from subsp. integrifolia mainly by having more or less glabrous lowermost leaves with rather long petioles and narrow blades. Interestingly, the one specimen of this material we sequenced was found to be well-supported sister to the remainder of T. integrifolia (Fig. 1, 2). Considering its morphology, its disjunct distribution in Arctic Scandinavia and its position in our phylogeny, we believe this material should be recognized as a distinct subspecies of T. integrifolia. The name subsp. tundricola for this taxon, described from Arctic Russia, has been used by Karlsson in 2004 (Checklista över Nordens kärlväxter;  http://www2.nrm.se/fbo/chk/chk3.htm) but not in 2019 (A. Anderberg, Stockholm, pers. comm.), and Greuter (2006+) indicated that this taxon is distributed in Norway. However, Chater & Walters (1976) did not list subsp. tundricola for Norway, and Solstad & Elven (2011) referred to the Finnmark material as T. integrifolia without subspecific allocation. Equally, no other species than T. integrifolia has been recorded in Finnmark according to the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre ( https://www.biodiversity.no/). The type material of subsp. tundricola (NO-Küste der Gyda-Tundra, östlich vom Kap Leskin, 72°16′N, 21 Aug 1926, A. Tolmatchew, Museum Botanicum Academiae Scientiarum Petropolitanae No. 756, S!) has a denser indumentum than the Finnmark populations as well as purplish involucral bracts, so it remains open whether subsp. tundricola is the correct name for the Finnmark material. This has also been discussed by Høiland (1986). Following Chater & Walters (1976), Meusel & Jäger (1992) and Schischkin (1995), T. in- tegrifolia (and probably several species listed by Schischkin [1995] that may eventually have to be included in T. integrifolia) is very widely distributed in Russia. Full understanding of subsp. “tundricola” may have to await a critical analysis of this Russian material. The Finnmark populations have been assessed as critically endangered (NBIC 2021).

Selected specimens seen — [Norway], Finnmark, Vardø, Hestmannes, 1 km Ø f Austerelva i Persfjord, 28 Jul 1987, K. A. Lye 12866 (O); [Norway], Finnmark, Vardø, Persfjordens østside, 26 Aug 1982, T. Berg s.n. (O); [Norway], Finnmark, Vardø, Persfjorden, Hestmannes, 18 Jul 1993, L. Borgen s.n. (O); [Norway], Finnmark, Vardø. Vestre Persfjord E of Vestervelva, 2–40 m, low dolomite outcrops, meadow patches in cliffs, 26 Jul 2007, R. Elven & al. s.n. (O).

3. Tephroseris balbisiana (DC.) Holub in Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 8: 173. 1973 ≡ Senecio balbisianus DC., Prodr. 6: 360. 1838. – Lectotype (designated here): Italy, 1804, Balbis s.n. ( G-DC 00468425; isolectotype:  G-DC 00468244). – Fig. 4A–C, 16.

Fig. 16.

Tephroseris balbisiana – [Italy], Piemonte, Prov. Cuneo, in humidis montis M. Mascaron supra Val Pesi, Jun 1899, C. Bicknell s.n. (WU).

Fig. 17.

Tephroseris longifolia – Austria, Steiermark, Hochenegg SW von Leutschach, 28 May 1978, G. Fischer s.n. (WU).

= Senecio elodes Boiss. ex DC., Prodr. 7: 301. 1838 ≡ Tephroseris elodes (DC.) Holub in Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 8: 173. 1973. – Lectotype (designated here): Spain, Aug 1837, Boissier s.n. ( G-DC 00468246; isolectotypes:  G 00342262,  G 00342263,  G 00342264,  K 000802953).

= Senecio coincyi Rouy in Bull. Soc. Bot. France 37: 163. 1890 ≡ Tephroseris coincyi (Rouy) Holub in Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 12: 308. 1977. – Type: not designated. – Protologue: “ESPAGNE: le « Pinar» de Hoyocasero, montagnes d'Avila (her-bier Rouy, leg. de Coincy, 24 juin 1888)”.

Description — Plants perennial, 65–120 cm tall, erect, unbranched below. Rootstock short, erect or oblique. Axis conspicuously hollow, mostly glabrescent at base and increasingly white arachnoid-floccose toward apex. Lower leaves 25–45 × 3–8 cm, distinctly petiolate, petiole up to twice as long as blade, rarely longer, blade narrowly ovate to obovate, rarely almost entire, mostly somewhat sinuate to coarsely dentate-serrate; basal leaves absent at anthesis; cauline leaves increasingly sessile toward apex, upper cauline leaves lanceolate to linear, mostly entire, with cuneate to rounded base, very rarely slightly amplexicaul; lower leaves mostly sparsely arachnoid or somewhat floccose, upper leaves increasingly white arachnoid to somewhat floccose. Capitula (6–)8–16 in pseudoumbel, densely arranged at anthesis; peduncle elongating at fruiting time; commonly with single long-pedunculate capitula or 2- or 3-capitulate accessory pseudoumbels below terminal pseudoumbel. Involucral bracts 16–28, 7–11 mm long. Capitula mostly white arachnoid at base; involucral bracts sparsely to densely white arachnoid, glabrescent. Ray florets 12–21, 10–17 × 1–2.5 mm, mostly yellow, spreading. Achenes 3.5–4.5 mm long, glabrous, light brown; pappus 4–10 mm long, white.

Fig. 18.

Leaves of Tephroseris papposa – A: Serbia, Suva Planina, s.d., S. Petrovic s.n. (WU); B: Greece, Nom. Kastoria, 1.3 km NO Pano Arena, 8 Jun 1989, Willing 6045 (B); and of T. longifolia – C: [Hungary], Hungaria merid.-orient., ad thermas Herkulis, s.d., Degen s.n. (WU); D: Austria, Steiermark, Hochenegg SW von Leutschach, 28 May 1978, G. Fischer s.n. (WU); E: [Italy], Bagni di Romagna, Réserve Naturelle de Sasso Fratino, 29 May 1990, E. Luccioli & G. Padovani 15722 (B); F: Italy, Veneto, Karnische Alpen, Rif. Calvi–Hochalpjoch, gegen den M. Peralba, 2200–2500 m, 4 Jul 2000, P. Schönswetter & A. Tribsch 5271 (WU).

Chromosome number — 2n = 40 (Blanca & Cueto 1992).

Phenology — Flowering and fruiting from June to August.

Habitat — The species grows exclusively in very wet and oligotrophic to mesotrophic localities, such as wet and often peaty meadows, small peat bogs and along streams, on neutral to slightly acid soil from 400 to 2200 m.

Distribution — The species is distributed (Fig. 15) in southern Spain (Sierra Nevada: formerly Tephroseris elodes), central Spain (Sanabria, Sierra de Villafranca, Sierra de Gredos: formerly T. coincyi) and France and Italy (Maritime Alps: T. balbisiana). For distribution see also Meusel & Jäger (1992, sub Senecio balbisianus, S. elodes, S. coincyi), Tela Botanica (2021, France), (Bartolucci & al. 2018, Italy).

Conservation status — The species has been assessed as vulnerable to endangered in Spain, vulnerable in France and least concern in Italy (Orsenigo & al. 2020). For detailed accounts of the ecology and status of the species in Spain see García López & Roa Medina (1988), Martínez-García & al. (2012, 2015) and Schnadelbach & al. (2016).

Remarks — This species is easily recognizable by its normally large size and large leaves in combination with its highly disjunct distribution in mostly very wet places in the Spanish Sierra Nevada, parts of central Spain (Sanabria, Sierra de Villafranca, Sierra de Gredos) and the Maritime Alps of Italy and France. Tephroseris balbisiana can be similar to T. longifolia from the Apennines (Italy; see below). The strong similarity between T. coincyi from central Spain and T. elodes from the Sierra Nevada had already been noticed by Rouy (1890), Cufodontis (1933) and Chater & Walters (1976), and indeed Aedo (2019) treated T. coincyi as T. elodes subsp. coincyi (Rouy) Aedo. The leaf margin of T. coincyi is sometimes more coarsely dentate-serrate than that of T. elodes, and the leaf blade is often broader, and Aedo (2019), when distinguishing T. elodes and T. coincyi at subspecific rank, used the leaf margin to differentiate these two taxa. However, we consider this character not sufficient for the recognition of two taxa, and both cannot be distinguished morphologically from T. balbisiana. Because these three entities form a well-supported clade (Fig. 1, 2), we include them in T. balbisiana without rank irrespective of their widely allopatric distribution. Rouy (1890), Cufodontis (1933) and Aedo (2019) also noted the strong similarity of T. elodes/T. coincyi to T. balbisiana.

The one chromosome count for this species of 2n = 40 by Blanca & Cueto (1992, sub Tephroseris elodes) is highly unusual in this genus, where chromosome numbers are based on x = 8, at least in the European species. Chromosome numbers based on x = 10 are typical for Senecio. However, we have seen images of the voucher specimen for this count (Juan Lorite, Granada, pers. comm.) and can confirm its correct identification. It clearly would be desirable to re-examine T. balbisiana for its chromosome number.

Selected specimens seen — Spain, Granada, Sierra Nevada, an der Strasse Capileira–Mulhacén, 31 Aug 1985, R. Vogt 4214 (B); [Spain], Regno Granatense, Sierra Nevada, Horcajo de Trévelez, 2300 m, 27 Jul 1923, P. Font i Quer s.n. (H); [Spain], Prov. d'Avila, Sierra de Villafranca, Puerto de la Peña Negra, 19 Jun 1979, B. de Retz 79344 (H); [Spain], Ávila, inter Piedrahita et Puerto de Peña Negra, 1700 m, in humidis ad rivulum, 14 Jun 1980, J. Fernández Casas s.n. (B); Spain, Salamanca, Puerto de Peña Negra, Nordhang, Arroyo de Peña Negra, 1 Jul 1985, R. Vogt 3516 (B); [Italy], Piemonte, Prov. Cuneo, in humidis montis M. Mascaron supra Val Pesi, Jun 1899, C. Bicknell s.n. (WU); [France], Alpes-Maritimes, St-Etienne de Tinée, Torrent du Rabuons, 2000 m, Aug 1915, Ch. Duffour s.n. (S); France, Mercantour, Talschluss der Valle die Valetta S Terme di Valdieri, 1750–2000 m, 4 Jul 1998, W. Gutermann & al. 32286 (WU).

4. Tephroseris longifolia (Jacq.) Griseb. & Schenk in Arch. Naturgesch. 18(1): 343. 1852 ≡ Cineraria longifolia Jacq., Fl. Austriac. 2: 49. 1774 ≡ Senecio brachychaetus DC., Prodr. 6: 362. 1838. – Lectotype (designated here): Austria, 1774, Jacquin s.n. ( BM 001025995; isolectotype:  BM 001025996). – Fig. 17, 18C–F.

= Cineraria ovirensis W. D. J. Koch in Flora 6: 507. 1823 ≡ Tephroseris ovirensis (W. D. J. Koch) B. Nord. in Opera Bot. 44: 45. 1978. – Type: not designated. – Protologue: “Auf der Alpe Ovir in Kärnthen von Dr. Rohde gesammelt, lag in Mertens Sammlung unter C. campestris”.

= Cineraria tenuifolia Gaudin, Fl. Helv. 5: 307. 1829 ≡ Senecio gaudinii Gremli, Excursionsfl. Schweiz, ed. 8: 238. 1896 ≡ Tephroseris tenuifolia (Gaudin) Holub in Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 8: 174. 1973 ≡ Tephroseris longifolia subsp. gaudinii (Gremli) Kerguélen in Bull. Assoc. Informat. Appl. Bot. 1: 184. 1994. – Type: not designated. – Protologue: “Hab. in Alpibus australibus. Rarissimam plantam anno 1812 in itinere rhaetico ad M. Umbrail s. Wormserjoch descensum, supra Bormium in Hormini consortio legi. Eam ibidem quoque iamdudum invenerat Cl. Schleicher”.

= Senecio alpestris var. pseudocrispus Fiori in Fiori & al., Fl. Italia 3: 220. 1903 ≡ Senecio rivularis subsp. pseudocrispus (Fiori) E. Mayer, Annum Hort. Bot. Labac. CL: 40. 1960 ≡ Tephroseris longifolia subsp. pseudocrispa (Fiori) Greuter in Willdenowia 33: 249. 2003. – Type: not designated. – Protologue: “Regione submontana del Friuli nei colli di Brazzano a 100m. (PIRONA!, GORTANI!) e dalla Stretta di Pradolino presso Stupizza a 470m. (GORTANI!)”.

= Tephroseris italica Holub in Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 8: 173. 1973 – [Senecio brachychaetus sensu Cufod. in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 70: 101. 1933, non Senecio brachychaetus DC., Prodr. 6: 362. 1838]. – Holotype: FI. Exsicc. Ital., Fiori, Béguinot & Pam-panini 171 (F n.v.).

= Tephroseris longifolia subsp. moravica Holub in Preslia 51: 281. 1979. – Holotype: Czech Republic, 12 Jul 1973, J. Holub s.n. (PRA n.v.).

= Tephroseris longifolia subsp. brachychaeta Greuter in Willdenowia 33: 248. 2003. – Holotype: Italy, 1808, Bertoloni s.n. ( G-DC 00468273).

Description — Plants perennial, 15–80 cm tall, erect, unbranched below. Rootstock short, erect or oblique. Axis frequently reddish/purplish at base and with reddish/purplish lines, mostly sparsely arachnoid, rarely densely arachnoid and then sometimes floccose. Lower leaves 6.5–25 × 2.5–4 cm, rarely much larger (up to 30 × 9 cm), distinctly petiolate, petiole mostly shorter than to as long as blade, rarely longer than blade, wingless or more rarely winged, denticulate to more or less coarsely dentate or dentate-serrate, rarely more or less entire, blade mostly ovate to lanceolate, rarely almost truncate at base; basal leaves sometimes persisting until anthesis; cauline leaves increasingly sessile and margin increasingly entire toward apex, upper cauline leaves mostly entire and somewhat amplexicaul; leaves mostly sparsely arachnoid, sometimes particularly lower leaf surface densely arachnoid and sometimes floccose. Capitula 3–12 in pseudoumbel; peduncle 2–6 cm long at anthesis, extending at fruiting time; commonly with single long-pedunculate capitula or 2- or 3-capitulate accessory pseudoumbels below terminal pseudoumbel. Involucral bracts 14–26, 5–10 mm long, commonly with purple tip. Capitula mostly sparsely arachnoid, rarely densely arachnoid. Ray florets 12–25, 10–17 × 2–2.5 mm, rarely absent, yellow, often somewhat upright at anthesis. Achenes 2.5–3 mm long, glabrous or pubescent; pappus 7–8 mm long, white.

Chromosome number — 2n = 48 (Watanabe 2002; see also Olšavská & al. 2015; Skokanová & al. 2019).

Phenology — Flowering and fruiting from May to August.

Habitat — The species grows in mesotrophic grasslands, tall-herb subalpine plant communities and in open forests and along forest margins (Janišová & al. 2018) from 400 to 2500 m.

Distribution — For overall distribution see Meusel & Jäger (1992, sub Senecio brachychaetus, S. ovirensis, S. rivularis subsp. pseudocrispus) and Fig. 15. For more detailed distribution see: Bartha & al. (2021, Hungary), Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) (2021, Germany, sub Tephroseris tenuifolia), Info flora (2021, Switzerland, sub T. tenuifolia), Bartolucci & al. (2018, Italy, sub T. italica, T. longifolia subsp. longifolia, subsp. gaudinii, subsp. pseudocrispa), Pladias (2014–2021, Czech Republic); see also Skokanová & al. (2019) and Kochjarová (1997).

Conservation status — Critically endangered and close to extinction in Hungary (as Tephroseris ovirensis), regionally endangered in Austria, critically endangered in the Czech Republic (as T. longifolia subsp. moravica), endangered in Switzerland (as Senecio tenuifolia), least concern in Italy (as T. longifolia subsp. longifolia and subsp. pseudocrispa; Orsenigo & al. 2020).

Remarks — Tephroseris longifolia can be similar to T. papposa (see below) in leaf shape, but the leaf margin is very often coarsely and irregularly dentate to dentate-serrate, although frequently also entire. However, the leaf indumentum of T. longifolia is not persistent in the way it is in most T. papposa. In T. longifolia the ray florets are often rather long and narrow and often more or less erect at flowering time.

Tephroseris longifolia, or rather what has been called the T. longifolia aggregate, has been subject to very detailed studies using morphometric (Olšavská & al. 2015), ecological (Janišová & al. 2018) and molecular (Skokanová & al. 2019) approaches. Whereas Olšavská & al. (2015) recognized five subspecies within T. longifolia, i.e. subsp. longifolia, subsp. moravica Holub, subsp. brachychaeta Greuter, subsp. gaudinii (Gremli) Kerguélen and subsp. pseudocrispa (Fiori) Greuter (an intraspecific classification also used by Greuter [2006+]), Skokanová & al. (2019) treated subsp. brachychaeta, subsp. gaudinii and subsp. pseudocrispa as T. italica Holub, T. tenuifolia (Gaudin) Holub and T. pseudocrispa (Fiori) Holub, respectively. They also considered T. crispa to be part of the T. longifolia aggregate.

In our opinion, neither treatment is supported by any of the published data. Although Olšavská & al. (2015) succeeded in separating the taxa investigated by them in a PCoA of morphometric data (separation of taxa is less obvious in their UPGMA analysis and very substantial overlap among taxa can be seen when looking at the variation of individual characters), the identification key provided by these authors will not allow the user to identify anything but extreme individuals. The lack of diagnostic characters or character combinations is also obvious from the tabular comparison (Skokanová & al. 2019: table 2) of the taxa investigated by Olšavská & al. (2015) plus Tephroseris crispa. In the molecular analysis by Skokanová & al. (2019), also including what these authors call T. integrifolia subsp. aucheri of the T. longifolia clade (see below, here classified as T. papposa), T. helenitis and T. papposa, ITS ribotypes are shared among taxa (N1: T. crispa, T. longifolia subsp. longifolia and subsp. moravica, T. pseudocrispa; N2: T. crispa, T. tenuifolia; N3: T. crispa, T. pseudocrispa, T. tenuifolia; N4: T. crispa, T. longifolia subsp. moravica; N6: T. crispa, T. helenitis; N8: T. integrifolia subsp. aucheri, T. italica, T. papposa), and several taxa are polymorphic for ITS ribotypes (T. crispa, T. integrifolia subsp. aucheri, T. italica, T. longifolia subsp. moravica, T. papposa, T. pseudocrispa, T. tenuifolia). Using AFLP data, some separation of taxa was achieved in neighbour-joining and neighbour-net analyses, partly without bootstrap support, but PCoA and Bayesian clustering of all samples of the T. longifolia aggregate (i.e. including T. crispa and excluding T. integrifolia subsp. aucheri, T. helenitis and T. papposa) resulted in three groups, namely T. crispa, T. italica + T. tenuifolia, and the remaining taxa as the third group. Finally, ecological differentiation among taxa is weak. Although Janišová & al. (2018) claimed that (among the morphotypes of the T. longifolia aggregate studied by them) “significant niche differentiation was confirmed for climatic, topographic, pedological, and vascular plant-based coenotic niches”, they also noted that “all studied populations of T. longifolia agg. occur in very similar habitats including mesotrophic grasslands, tall-herb subalpine plant communities, open forests and forest margins, usually with deeper soils of intermediate pH values”.

Fig. 19.

Tephroseris crispa – [Austria], Feuchte Stelle mit Eschen im Fichtenforst unterhalb Köstinger, 31 May 1974, M. A. Fischer s.n. (WU).

Clearly, the data by Olšavská & al. (2015), Janišová & al. (2018) and Skokanová & al. (2019) are extremely valuable for understanding variation in the Tephroseris longifolia aggregate and reflect differentiation among the populations analysed by them. However, using these data to recognize taxa at subspecific or even specific rank is in our opinion not justified, particularly in view of the morphological variation of the species. In accordance with Skokanová & al. (2019), we treat T. crispa at specific rank here (see below). This is supported by its distinct morphology. Also, Janišová & al. (2018) noted that the habitats preferred by T. longifolia differ from those preferred by T. crispa, T. helenitis (both mainly in neutral to acidophilous wet meadows and fens) and T. integrifolia (mainly in nutrient-poor dry and semi-dry calcareous grassland and open forest communities). This in our opinion supports treatment of T. crispa at specific rank. As regards recognition of intraspecific taxa within T. longifolia, recognition particularly of subsp. brachychaeta, but also of subsp. pseudocrispa, should be considered. The former comprises often very tall and large-leaved plants from the Apennines, which also are somewhat distinct in their ITS ribotypes (Skokanová & al. 2019). This material is somewhat similar to T. balbisiana (see above). However, we have seen very little material from the Apennines. Interestingly, as described above, Skokanová & al. (2019) found the Apennine material to group with material from more western parts of the Alps classified by them as T. tenuifolia. Such a relationship is not reflected in morphological variation because in considerable contrast to the tall and large-leaved material from the Apennines, the material from more western parts of the Alps tends to be smaller than typical material of T. longifolia. Recognition of subsp. brachychaeta (but including T. tenuifolia = T. longifolia subsp. gaudinii) would be supported by the molecular data by Skokanová & al. (2019). As regards subsp. pseudocrispa, this is quite distinct in leaf morphology by having basal leaves with an often cordate blade strongly resembling T. crispa. However, these plants have at least sparsely arachnoid leaves. Populations of such morphology occupy a small distribution range in northeastern Italy, northwestern Slovenia and adjacent Austria.

Fig. 20.

Leaves of Tephroseris crispa – A: [Austria], Feuchte Stelle mit Eschen im Fichtenforst unterhalb Köstinger, 31 May 1974, M. A. Fischer s.n. (WU); B: [Austria], Steiermark, Söchau, s.d., H. Sabransky s.n. (WU); C: Austria, Oberösterreich, nordöstliches Mühlviertel, südöstlich von Unterwald, 18 May 2012, W. Till 120115 (WU); D: [Austria], Flora Vindobonensis, bei Purkersdorf(?), 5 May 1872, R. & A. L. v. Reuss s.n. (WU).

Selected specimens seen — [Hungary], Hungaria merid.orient., ad thermas Herkulis, s.d., Degen s.n. (WU); Austria, Steiermark, Hochenegg SW von Leutschach, 28 May 1978, G. Fischer s.n. (WU); Austria, Niederösterreich, Bezirk Lilienfeld, wenig südöstlich von Naglreith, 796 m, 11 Jun 2010, W. Till 100249 (WU); [Austria], Kärnten, Bleiburg, 21 May 1958, E. Folkeson s.n. (S); [Austria], Grazer Bergland, Stübinggraben, 4 km S Großstübing, 600 m, über Kalk, auf einer Schlagfläche im Buchenwald, 22 May 1977, W. Möschl & H. Pittoni s.n. (S); [Italy], Bagni di Romagna, Réserve Naturelle de Sasso Fratino, 29 May 1990, E. Luccioli & G. Padovani 15722 (B); [Italy], Longobardia, Prov. di Sondrio, in pratis montanis et subalpinis montium Oga et Tirindré, 1100–1700 m, 19–26 Jun 1904, M. Longa s.n. (WU); Italy, Veneto, Karnische Alpen, Rif. Calvi–Hochalpjoch, gegen den M. Peralba, 2200–2500 m, 4 Jul 2000, P. Schönswetter & A. Tribsch 5271 (WU); Switzerland, Graubünden, Puschlav, Buco del Cavallo, 1900 m, 2 Aug 1967, T. Eckardt 876 (B); [Switzerland], Graubünden, Oberengadin, Laviruns, 18 Jul 1920, W. Schibler s.n. (H).

5. Tephroseris crispa (Jacq.) Rchb., Fl. Saxon.: 147. 1842 ≡ Cineraria crispa Jacq., Fl. Austriac. 2: 48. 1774. – Lectotype (designated here): Austria, s.d., Jacquin s.n. ( W-Jacq. 0032009; isolectotypes:  BM 001025991,  BM 001025992). – Fig. 19, 20.

= Cineraria rivularis Waldst. & Kit., Descr. Icon. Pl. Hung. 3: 265. 1812 ≡ Senecio rivularis (Waldst. & Kit.) DC., Prodr. 6: 359. 1838. – Type: not designated. – Protologue: “Crescit ad rivulos frigidos in vallibus Matrae umbrosis: velut infra Kis-Kut supra fodinas Oroszienses”.

Description — Plants perennial, 17–70 cm tall, erect, unbranched below (very rarely with 1-capitulate lateral axes at base). Rootstock short, erect or oblique. Axis mostly with reddish/purplish lines, mostly glabrous at base and increasingly white arachnoid toward apex. Lower leaves 3.5–15 × 1.4–6 cm, rarely much larger, distinctly petiolate, petiole up to twice as long as blade, distinctly winged, entire to coarsely dentate-serrate, often broadening at base, blade mostly more or less cordate, sometimes almost hastate, less often elliptic to ovate with more or less cuneate base, mostly coarsely dentate-serrate; basal leaves often persisting until anthesis, often recurved; cauline leaves increasingly sessile toward apex, lower cauline leaves often with very broadly winged petiole, often larger than basal leaves, upper cauline leaves mostly lanceolate, entire, amplexicaul; petiole and major veins of leaves often with reddish/purplish tinge; lower leaves mostly glabrous, rarely sparsely arachnoid or somewhat floccose, lower surface distinctly lighter than upper surface, upper leaves increasingly white arachnoid to somewhat floccose. Capitula (2 or)3–12 in pseudoumbel; peduncle 1–7 cm long at anthesis, extending to 12 cm long at fruiting time; very commonly with single long-pedunculate capitula or rarely 2- or 3-capitulate accessory pseudoumbels below terminal pseudoumbel. Involucral bracts 14–30, 8–15 mm long, often purple, purplish or with purple tip. Capitula mostly white arachnoid at base; involucral bracts mostly sparsely white arachnoid. Ray florets 15–21, 8–15 × 1.5–3 mm, mostly yellow, sometimes with reddish/purplish lines, spreading. Achenes 2.5–4.5 mm long, glabrous, very rarely pubescent, light brown; pappus 4–9 mm long, white.

Chromosome number — 2n = 48 (Watanabe 2002).

Phenology — Flowering and fruiting from May to August.

Habitat — The species almost exclusively grows in very wet and mesotrophic to eutrophic localities, such as wet meadows, springs, marshes, peat bogs, alluvial Alnus forests and in tall-herb subalpine communities with neutral to slightly acid or basic soil, from 200 to 2000 m.

Distribution — For overall distribution see Meusel & Jäger (1992, sub Senecio rivularis) and Fig. 15. For more detailed distribution see: Snowarski (2000–2021, Poland, sub S. rivularis), Bartha & al. (2021, Hungary), Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) (2021, Germany), Sârbu & al. (2005, Romania, sub S. rivularis), Pladias (2014–2021, Czech Republic); see also Kochjarová (1997).

Conservation status — The species has been assessed as not threatened but very rare and declining in Germany, as regionally endangered in Austria, as lower risk to near threatened in the Czech Republic and as potentially endangered or near threatened in Hungary. A detailed account of the ecology and population biology of Tephroseris crispa (as Senecio rivularis) in Poland was presented by Czarnecka (2008). The conservation status of the species in Poland has not been assessed.

Remarks — Of the species of the Tephroseris longifolia clade, T. crispa is easy to recognize by the shape and indumentum of its lower leaves, which mostly have blades with a distinctly cordate base, are almost glabrous to glabrous and have a distinctly lighter lower than upper leaf surface. A darker network of veins is very conspicuous on the lower leaf surface, at least in herbarium material. The species can be very similar to what has been called T. pseudocrispa (and partly classified as such within T. crispa) and what we include in T. longifolia (see above). As regards the mostly almost glabrous or glabrous lower leaves, these are glabrescent. In his account on trichomes in Tephroseris (as Senecio sect. Tephroserides DC.), Hayek (1915) showed that the trichomes of all species he investigated are essentially identical. They consist of a basal part of several cells and an upper, unicellular flagellum, responsible for the arachnoid appearance of the indumentum. This flagellum is shed during development. The basal part of the hairs is shorter in T. crispa than in most other species, and either the apical cells of this basal part are shed in addition to the terminal cell, leaving, according to Hayek (1915), a foot of two to four cells, or they are shed entirely.

Selected specimens seen — [Germany], Oberwiesenthal, montane Quellflur, 13 Jun 1963, W. Hempel 6123 (B); [Germany], Erzgebirge, Crottendorf, Flachmoor, 31 May 1963, S. Fröhner s.n. (B); [Austria], Feuchte Stelle mit Eschen im Fichtenforst unterhalb Köstinger, 31 May 1974, M. A. Fischer s.n. (WU); [Austria], Steiermark, Söchau, s.d., H. Sabransky s.n. (WU); Austria, Oberösterreich, nordöstliches Mühlviertel, südöstlich von Unterwald, 18 May 2012, W. Till 120115 (WU); [Austria], Flora Vindobonensis, bei Purkersdorf(?), 5 May 1872, R. & A. L. v. Reuss s.n. (WU); [Poland], Laski near Olkusz, valley peat-bogs and wet meadows in Biała River Valley, c. 300 m, 20 May 2008, W. Bartoszek & al. s.n.(WU); [Poland], Riesengebirge, Karpacz, 1380 m, Quellsumpf, 21 Jun 1986, R. Vogt 4425 (B); [Poland], Silesia Inferior, Montes Sudeti Occidentales, ad fluminem in lacum Mały Staw torrentem, 19 Jun 1959, A. Krawiecowa s.n. (B); [Czech Republic], Bohemia meridionalis, Montes Šumava, sub vico Dobrá, 700 m, 6 May 1949, I. Klášterský s.n. (H); Slovakia, Nationalpark Slovenský Raj, c. 5 km nördlich Dedinky, 900 m, 18 Jun 2004, F. Schuhwerk 04/99 (B); Slovenia, Karavanke, in declivibus septemtrionalibus montis Golica, 1800 m, 7 Jul 1937, F. Dolšak 27234 (B).

Fig. 21.

Tephroseris helenitis – France, dép. Pyrénées-Atlantiques, La Corniche, 17 May 1993, A. Salazar & P. Urrutia 15229 (B).

Fig. 22.

Leaves of Tephroseris helenitis – A: France, dép. Pyrénées-Atlantiques, La Corniche, 17 May 1993, A. Salazar & P. Urrutia 15229 (B); B: [Austria], Salzburg, Moorwiesen, s.d., M. Eysn s.n. (WU); C: [France], Lans (Isère), 28 May 1888, A. Pellat s.n. (S); D: [Germany], Klingenstein Kreis, Blaubeuren, 24 May 1935, K. Müller s.n. (B); E: [France], Laruns, vallée d'Ossau, 14 May 1990, J. J. Lazare s.n. (H).

6. Tephroseris helenitis (L.) B. Nord. in Opera Bot. 44: 44. 1978 ≡ Othonna helenitis L., Sp. Pl.: 925. 1753. – Type: not designated. – Protologue: “Habitat in Sibiria. D. Gmelin. Gallia”. – Note: Following Brunerye (1969), the statement “Habitat in Sibiria” by Gmelin is an error. – Fig. 21, 22.

= Senecio brachychaetus var. discoideus DC., Prodr. 6: 362. 1838 ≡ Tephroseris helenitis var. discoidea (DC.) Kerguélen in Lejeunia 120: 173. 1987. – Holotype: France, 1814, Coder s.n. ( G-DC 00468207).

= Senecio spathulifolius DC., Prodr. 6: 362. 1838. – Lectotype (designated here): Germany, 1834, Wall-roth s.n. ( G-DC 00468272).

= Cineraria longifolia var. macrochaeta Willk., Prodr. Fl. Hispan. 2: 111. 1865 ≡ Tephroseris helenitis subsp. macrochaeta (Willk.) B. Nord. in Opera Bot. 44: 44. 1978. – Type: not designated. – Protologue: “In regione fagorum montium Cantabriae raro (in cacumine Monte de la Haya pr. Yrun ad alt. 1500′, Wk.)”.

= Cineraria lanceolata var. candida Corb., Nouv. Fl. Normandie: 318. 1894 ≡ Tephroseris helenitis subsp. candida (Corb.) B. Nord. in Opera Bot. 44: 44. 1978. – Type: not designated. – Protologue: “Seine-Inférieure falaises crayeuses: Fécamp (Lacaille! Thériot!); Etretat, S^t-Valéry (Niel)”.

= Senecio arvernensis Rouy, Fl. France 8: 316. 1903 ≡ Tephroseris helenitis subsp. arvernensis (Rouy) B. Nord. in Opera Bot. 44: 44. 1978. – Type: not designated. – Protologue: “Hab. — Cantal: de S^te-Anastasie à Allanche (Clisson in h. R.); éboulis au pied du mamelon terminal du plomb, versant nord (A. Dumas); sous les rochers de Vacivières, en haut du ravin de la Croix (fr. Héribaud in h. R.): à rechercher”.

Fig. 23.

Tephroseris papposa – Greece, Nom. Kastoria, 1.3 km NO Pano Arena, 8 Jun 1989, Willing 6045 (B).

= Senecio helenitis subsp. salisburgensis Cufod. in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 70: 129. 1933 ≡ Tephroseris helenitis subsp. salisburgensis (Cufod.) B. Nord. in Opera Bot. 44: 44. 1978. – Type: not designated. – Protologue: “Fl. exs. Austro-Hung., No. 1798 b (Sen. prat. f. ligulata). – Schultz, Herb. norm., cent. 7, No. 689; 1862 (Sen. prat.)”.

Description — Plants perennial, 20–80 cm tall, erect, mostly unbranched below, very rarely branched from base. Rootstock short, erect or oblique. Axis mostly with reddish/purplish lines, sparsely to densely white arachnoid. Lower leaves 4.5–30 × 1.5–5 cm, distinctly petiolate, petiole as long as to much longer than blade, often more or less distinctly winged particularly in smaller leaves; blade elliptic to ovate, sometimes with truncate to almost cordate base, entire, undulate, undulate-serrate or less often more or less finely dentate to serrate; upper surface often somewhat rugose between veins, leaf margin very narrowly revolute at least in lower leaves; cauline leaves increasingly sessile and entire toward apex, upper leaves often somewhat amplexicaul; leaf indumentum more or less densely arachnoid to floccose, lower surface mostly much more densely arachnoid than upper surface, veins on upper surface less densely arachnoid than on lower surface and clearly visible. Capitula 3–15 in pseudoumbel, sometimes with single long-pedunculate capitula or 2- to 3-capitulate accessory pseudoumbels below terminal pseudoumbel. Involucral bracts 12–22, 5–10 mm long, often with purple or purplish tip. Capitula mostly white arachnoid at base; involucral bracts sparsely to densely white arachnoid. Ray florets 14–23, 8–15 × 2–3 mm, yellow, or ray florets absent. Achenes 3–4 mm long, mostly pubescent, more rarely glabrous; pappus 4–8 mm long.

Fig. 24.

Past and present distribution of Tephroseris helenitis in Hessen (Germany). Map prepared on 28 May 2019 by Sylvain Hodvina (Zwingenberg, Germany). In the latest survey (Bönsel & al. 2021), the species could be found in only one locality (Katzenstein near Waldeck).

Chromosome number — 2n = 48 (Watanabe 2002).

Phenology — Flowering and fruiting from March to July.

Habitat — The species mostly grows in humid to somewhat wet, neutral to somewhat acid (rarely basic) and more or less light places, such as wet meadows, blanket bogs or open broad-leaved forests.

Distribution — For overall distribution see Meusel & Jäger (1992, sub Senecio helenitis) and Fig. 15. For more detailed distribution see: Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) (2021, Germany), Tela Botanica (2021, France), Info flora (2021, Switzerland).

Conservation status — Tephroseris helenitis has been assessed as vulnerable to endangered in Switzerland, endangered in Austria and Germany, where regional accounts assess it as critically endangered or in danger of extinction, and near threatened (subsp. candida; if recognized) or vulnerable (subsp. macrochaeta; if recognized) in France.

Remarks — The most obvious character of this species, and the one used by most authors, is its leaf indumentum, which in typical material is much more densely arachnoid on the lower than on the upper surface. The upper leaf surface is often rugose. However, leaves also can be fairly glabrous. Often the margin of lower leaves is very narrowly revolute, recognizable as a narrow, dark margin.

Within Tephroseris helenitis, a number of subspecies have been recognized in the more recent literature (Chater & Walters 1976; Fischer & al. 2005; Jäger 2011; Tison & Foucault 2014). These are subsp. candida (Corb.) B. Nord., subsp. macrochaeta (Willk.) B. Nord., subsp. salisburgensis (Cufod.) B. Nord. and partly subsp. arvernensis (Rouy) B. Nord., the last recognized at subspecific rank by Greuter (2006+) and at varietal rank within subsp. helenitis by Tison & Foucault (2014). Recognition of these taxa is based mainly on the careful work by Brunerye (1969). Of all these subspecies, subsp. salisburgensis is the best known. The major character used by all authors to distinguish this from the type subspecies is its glabrous achenes. In addition to this, the following characters have been used to distinguish the two subspecies: smaller basal leaves and a sparser indumentum of stems and leaves in subsp. salisburgensis (Chater & Walters 1976) or a glabrescent lower leaf surface (Fischer & al. 2005), number of ligules (15–18 in subsp. salisburgensis vs mostly 13 in subsp. helenitis; Fischer & al. 2005), colour of involucral bracts (apex red in subsp. salisburgensis vs green throughout in subsp. helenitis; Fischer & al. 2005) and shape of leaf blade (gradually narrowing into petiole in subsp. salisburgensis vs abruptly narrowing in subsp. helenitis; Jäger 2011). In a thorough analysis of T. helenitis subsp. helenitis and subsp. salisburgensis including an analysis of AFLP variation, Pflugbeil (2012) reported that individuals with glabrous vs pubescent achenes cannot be separated by AFLPs, that populations of individuals with glabrous achenes always contain individuals with pubescent achenes in varying percentages, that no other morphological character is correlated with the genetic data and that individuals with glabrous or pubescent achenes are not different ecologically. Although populations with individuals with glabrous achenes occupy a distinct range, Pflugbeil (2012) concluded that subsp. salisburgensis should not be recognized at subspecific rank. Recently, Pflugbeil & al. (2021) hypothesized that forms with glabrous achenes (referred to as subsp. salisburgensis by the authors) originated postglacially during eastward range expansion of subsp. helenitis. Subspecies candida is a somewhat succulent taxon of coastal distribution in Normandy (Brunerye 1969; Tela Botanica 2021) with rather short and wide ligules (6–8 mm vs 8–15 mm long unless absent in subsp. helenitis and subsp. macrochaeta; Chater & Walters 1976). Subspecies macrochaeta, distributed in the western Pyrenees and adjacent parts of northeastern Spain (Brunerye 1969), has been differentiated by the indumentum of its capitula, which are arachnoid at the base but have glabrous bracts (Brunerye 1969; Chater & Walters 1976; Tison & Foucault 2014). Within subsp. helenitis, Tison & Foucault (2014) distinguished var. discoidea (DC.) Kerguélen from the Pyrenees by the absence of ligules and var. arvernensis (Rouy) B. Bock from the Auvergne by its small size. The latter was treated as a subspecies by Greuter 2006+ (see above).

Brunerye (1969) demonstrated the large overlap in variation among the infraspecific taxa he and later authors recognized. However, Tephroseris helenitis subsp. macrochaeta occupies a distinct range in the very southwest of the overall range of T. helenitis, and more than 90% of specimens have involucral bracts that are glabrous in their upper ¾ according to Brunerye (1969), and this subspecies has been accepted by Aedo (2019). Tephroseris helenitis subsp. helenitis var. discoidea, recognized at varietal rank by Tison & Foucault (2014) and Brunerye (1969, as var. pyrenaicus (Nyman) Brunerye), and mentioned as Senecio lapeyrousii Rothm. by Chater & Walters (1976), is limited to the Hautes-Pyrénées and is consistently eligulate. These two subspecies may eventually deserve formal recognition. However, in view of the large overlap in variation among taxa (Brunerye 1969), this should await examination of additional material. As regards subsp. candida, this taxon differs from subsp. helenitis mainly by its succulent and more densely arachnoid leaves. As these characters might well be modifications at its coastal sites, we recommend not accepting this taxon until further investigation. In contrast to T. integrifolia subsp. maritima discussed above, which is disjunctly distributed with subsp. integrifolia in Britain, subsp. helenitis occurs in inland localities close to subsp. candida in Normandy, and even coastal populations of subsp. helenitis are known (Tela Botanica 2021), so that ecological distinction between the two taxa is not possible.

Selected specimens seen — [Spain], prov. Guipúzcoa, Aia, Laurgain, 375 m, 15 Apr 1985, F. Garín s.n. (H); [Spain], Provinz Navarra, Puerto de Ibaneta, 1100 m, Wiesenkuppe auf der Paßhöhe, 17 Jun 2001, R. Chizzola s.n. (WU); [France], Pâturages de Madril, vallée de Gèdre, 1600 m, 25 Jul 1871, Bordère s.n. (B); France, dep. Pyrénées-Atlantiques, La Corniche, 17 May 1993, A. Salazar & P. Urrutia 15229 (B); [France], Laval-le-Prieuré im Tal des Dessoubre, 500 m, 9 Jun 1962, E. Berger 2684 (B); [France], Laruns, vallée d'Ossau, 14 May 1990, J. J. Lazare s.n. (B, H); [France], Lans (Isère), 28 May 1888, A. Pellat s.n. (S); France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Montaigne Noir, Cupserviès, 808 m, track embankment in forest, 31 May 2010, R. Vogt 16676, C. Oberprieler 10631, K. Konowalik (B); [Austria], Salzburg, Moorwiesen, s.d., M. Eysn s.n. (WU); [Germany], Klingenstein Kreis, Blaubeuren, 24 May 1935, K. Müller s.n. (B); [Germany], Moor an der Mindel SO Schöneberg, Pfaffenhausen–Schöneberg, 550 m, 31 May 1987, R. Vogt 6275 (B); [Germany], im Schilf um den Deininger Wei-her SO Dingharting, 2 Jun 1983, R. Vogt 1533 (B); [Germany], Esperstedt b. Arnstadt, im naturnahen Traubeneichenmischwald, 24 May 1959, W. Hempel 2245 (B).

7. Tephroseris papposa (Rchb.) Schur, Enum. Pl. Transsilv.: 344. 1866 ≡ Cineraria papposa Rchb., Iconogr. Bot. Pl. Crit. 2: 13. 1824. – Holotype: s.loc., s.d., Besser s.n. ( W-Rchb. 1889-0285642). – Note: Cufodontis (1933: 188) cited this specimen as the original specimen from Besser in the Reichenbach herbarium, but other relevant protologue information cannot be found on the specimen. – Fig. 18A, B, 23.

Description — Plants perennial, 15–50 cm tall, erect, unbranched below. Rootstock short, erect or oblique. Axis mostly densely arachnoid at flowering time, sometimes floccose. Lower leaves 4.5–9 × 1–2.5 cm, more or less sessile, with short and broadly winged petiole or distinctly petiolate, petiole shorter than to as long as blade, blade broadly to narrowly ovate to elliptic, entire to sinuate-dentate; basal leaves sometimes persisting until anthesis and appressed to ground, more commonly withered at anthesis; lower cauline leaves 10–26 × 2–2.5 cm, narrowly ovate to lanceolate, sessile to long petiolate with petiole as long as blade; lower cauline leaves held conspicuously upright, almost parallel to axis; cauline leaves increasingly sessile toward apex; leaves densely persistent arachnoid to floccose, commonly more strongly so on lower than on upper surface. Capitula 2–6 in pseudoumbel; peduncle 1–2 cm long at anthesis, rarely longer. Involucral bracts 16–28, 7–12 mm long, green. Capitula mostly densely arachnoid at base; involucral bracts often more or less densely to sparsely arachnoid throughout, tips sometimes glabrous; capitula glabrescent. Ray florets 14–22, 9–14 × 2–4 mm, yellow, spreading. Achenes 3–4 mm long, glabrous or pubescent; pappus 5–8 mm long, white.

Phenology — Flowering and fruiting from June to August.

Habitat — The species mostly grows in dry meadows and on rocky slopes and ledges from 1000 to 2400 m.

Chromosome number — 2n = 48 (Watanabe 2002; Sârbu & al. 2005).

Distribution — For overall distribution see Meusel & Jäger (1992, sub Senecio papposus) and Fig. 15. For more detailed distribution see: Snowarski (2000–2021, Poland, sub S. papposus), Sârbu & al. (2005, Romania, sub S. papposus).

Conservation status — Tephroseris papposa has been listed as endangered in Poland (Snowarski 2000–2021) but not in Greece (Phitos & al. 2009).

Remarks — Typical Tephroseris papposa has a dense and persistent arachnoid indumentum on both leaf surfaces, the leaves are often entire, or else distantly dentate or sinuate-dentate, and mostly very narrow. Some material particularly from the northern part of its overall range as illustrated by Meusel & Jäger (1992; see also Fig. 15) approaches T. helenitis in leaf indumentum (see above).

Greek material of Tephroseris papposa was treated as T. integrifolia subsp. integrifolia with pubescent achenes and as T. integrifolia subsp. aucheri with glabrous achenes by Kadereit (1991). Although plants with glabrous achenes appear to have a more northerly distribution than plants with pubescent achenes in Greece (A. Strid, Ørbæk, pers. comm.), they also grow sympatrically and in our opinion do not deserve formal recognition.

Selected specimens seen — Bosnia and Herzegovina, Šator E of Bosansko Grahovo, slopes S of Šatorsko Jezero, 1580 m, alpine meadows and Pinus mugo shrub, 7 Sep 2011, R. Vogt 17011 (B); Serbia, Suva Planina, s.d., S. Petrovic s.n. (WU); Kosovo, Sar Planina, above ski center 5 km SE of Brecovica, 1900–2300 m, meadows and grassland on rocky slopes, schistes vert, 15 Aug 1982, P. Hartvig & al. 10013 (B); [Serbia], Flora Serbica, in m. Bussara pr. Pirot, 10 Jun 1898, L. Adamović s.n. (WU); Bulgaria, Rila, Maljovika, 2400 m, 17 Jun 1964, W. Hempel s.n. (B); [North Macedonia], Makedonien, Tal der Mavrovska Beka zwischen Mavrovi Hanovi und Trnica, 28 May 1968, M. Bäßler & I. Quasdorf 788 (B); Greece, Nom. Kastoria, 1.3 km NO Pano Arena, 8 Jun 1989, Willing 6045 (B); [Greece], Nomos Florina, Mount Kajmakcalan, 1800–1850 m, subalpine pastures, on micaceous schist, 3 Jul 1999, A. Schuler 99/803 (B); [Greece], Macedonia or., prov. Serres, distr. Sindiki, montis Kerkini, 1900–1970 m, in pratis, solo rupestri vel arenoso gneisico, 27 Aug 1978, W. Greuter 16790 (B); [Greece], Nom. Serres, Menikion-Massiv, N-Hang des Spanakokorifi, felsige Bergwiesen u. Felsen, 17 Jun 1990, Willing 10652 (B); [Greece], Nom. & Ep. Serron, Mt Vrondous, summit area, 1700–1840 m, 6 Jul 1985, P. Uotila 33930 (H).

Decline of Tephroseris in Europe

The status of Tephroseris species in Europe as assessed in various red lists has been summarized in the species accounts above. With the exception of some assessments of T. crispa, all species are at least vulnerable to extinction. This assessment is amply supported by mostly regional accounts. For T. integrifolia, Isaakson (2009) noted that of 42 populations known in southern Sweden in the 19^th century only four still existed in the early 21^st century, and that population size decreased dramatically between 1980 and 2009 despite far-reaching conservation measures. In the Augsburg area of Germany, the number of populations of this species decreased from 12 in 1951 to two in 2010 (Meindl 2010), and a constantly decreasing number of flowering individuals in these two populations between 1994 and 2009 was reported by Meindl (2011). In addition to a decrease in number of British vice counties with T. integrifolia from 23 to 15, Stroh (2016) noted considerable retraction in range in many vice counties. For T. aurantiaca (here included in T. integrifolia), Leban & Anderle (2012) noted for Slovenia that this taxon thrived around the end of the 19^th and the beginning of the 20^th century, but could not be confirmed in most localities since. These authors proposed to classify the species as rare in the red list of Slovenia. For T. longifolia (subsp. longifolia), Olšavská & al. (2015) described the extinction of 12 of 31 microlocalities in the Pannonian region and, for subsp. moravica, the extinction of nine of 16 localities in the Carpathians. For T. crispa and T. palustris, strong decline was noticed in Sachsen, Germany (Geoportal Sachsenatlas 2021).

The decline of Tephroseris helenitis in parts of Germany (Hessen) is well illustrated in Fig. 24, and a strong decline of the species in the Regensburg area of Germany was noted by Eichhorn (1955). Figure 24 also shows that much extinction took place before 1950 or even before 1900.

Possible causes of the decline of Tephroseris in Europe

Most authors considered habitat loss or habitat modification the major cause of decline (Isaakson 2009; Meindl 2010; Martínez-García & al. 2012; Meindl 2011; Pflugbeil 2012). For Tephroseris integrifolia, Stroh & al. (2017) identified modification of grazing management as a major cause of decline of the species in England; the same observations were made by Meindl (2011) for the Augsburg area in Germany, and Schratt-Ehrendorfer (2000) discussed the need of T. integrifolia for open habitats in Austria. As regards T. balbisiana in Spain (sub T. coincyi), Martínez-García & al. (2012) considered intensive livestock activity to represent the main factor threatening the species. Those studies looking at genetic variation found no evidence for inbreeding depression in small populations (Isaakson 2009; Meindl 2011), although seed set appears to be correlated with population size (Widén 1993), and all (T. integrifolia: Isaakson 2009; Meindl 2011; T. helenitis: Pflugbeil 2012) found that genetic differentiation among populations is low and provided no evidence for genetic isolation.

A possible role of rising temperatures?

As has been pointed out many times, the effects of land-use change and climate change on species interact and cannot be easily separated (de Chazal & Rounsevell 2009; Willis & Bhagwat 2009; Cahill & al. 2013; Oliver & Morecroft 2014; Zhang & al. 2017). However, efforts to quantify the effect of climate change have been made (Doxford & Freckleton 2012; Lunney & al. 2014; Hill & Preston 2015). We will not undertake any formal analysis of the possible role of climate change for Tephroseris here, but will only list some observations that may point that way.

First, Tephroseris integrifolia has been considered a glacial relic (vs recent immigrant) by Engler (1879), Böcher & al. (1946) and Pigott & Walters (1954). An occurrence of T. integrifolia in Yorkshire/Westmorland, which apparently went extinct between 1938 and 1963 (Smith 1964, 1979), lies near an area “which harbours the most famous Late Glacial relic assemblage in Britain and there are numerous other sites on the limestone in and near Westmorland which have arctic-montane or boreo-arctic montane species” (C. D. Preston, Cambridge, pers. comm.). Equally, T. palustris was considered a glacial relic by Engler (1879), and T. helenitis in Austria was postulated by Pflugbeil (2012) to have survived glacial periods near the Alpine glaciers. The interpretation of the species of Tephroseris in Europe as glacial relics may be supported by the ecology of most species which, with the exception of T. integrifolia, grow in humid to wet places. This may recall predominant summer conditions in periglacial environments (Godwin 1975) and is similar to the conditions in which arctic species of the genus grow today.

Second, dramatic decreases in population sizes between 1980 and 2009 (Isaakson 2009) and a steady decrease of flowering individuals between 1994 and 2009 (Meindl 2011) were recorded, irrespective of conservation measures, and Meindl (2011) suspected that in this period the lack of vernalization by low winter and early spring temperatures might be causal.

Third, it seems, although good data are rare, that decline gathered pace near the end of the 19^th century. This is best documented for Tephroseris integrifolia in Sweden, where of 42 populations known in the 19^th century only 15 persisted through the turn to the 20^th century (Isaakson 2009). A steep decline between 1850 and 1899 can also be seen in T. helenitis in Hessen, Germany (Fig. 24), where it could be found in only one locality in 2019 (Katzenstein near Waldeck; Bönsel & al. 2021), and T. palustris went extinct in 1899 in the United Kingdom. However, T. palustris still can be found quite frequently in the Netherlands where, however, it is declining too (van der Slikke 1998). Also, fast southeast-northwest range expansion of T. crispa between 1881 and 1910 was reported by Rothe (1910) in the Polish Opolskie area to the east and southeast of Wrocław, where apparently the species expanded into lowland areas from more mountainous areas to the south and east. Interestingly, the Little Ice Age is considered to have ended between 1850 and 1920 (Owens & al. 2017), which might imply that rising temperatures after this period may have accelerated the decline of Tephroseris. Also, much decrease in T. helenitis appears to have taken place before the onset of the Great Acceleration around 1950 (Fig. 24), when anthropogenic effects increased steeply (Steffen & al. 2015).

Fourth and finally, as far as we can see, the genus is doing well in the Arctic. Considering the widespread Tephroseris palustris alone, a species that is extinct, rare or declining in Europe, this has been described as frequent for all but one of the subareas used in the panarctic flora (Elven 2021).