Cyanus triumfettii subsp triumfettii (Compositae) does not occur in the western Carpathians and adjacent parts of Pannonia: karyological and morphological evidence

The pronounced morphological variation of the Cyanus triumfettii group (syn. Centaurea triumfettii s. latissimo) in the western Carpathians and Pannonia has resulted in confusing and contradictory taxonomic treatments. We focus on the taxonomic identity of populations which have been treated as C. triumfettii subsp. triumfettii in this area. Karyological and morphological data were used to compare 47 populations (746 plants) from the western Carpatho-Pannonian area with 8 populations (105 plants) from the type locality of C. triumfettii subsp. triumfettii and its vicinity in the southern part of the western Alps. Chromosome counting and flow cytometry confirmed the diploid level for all analysed populations. Multivariate morphometric analyses revealed a clear separation between Alpine populations and populations in the western Carpathians and Pannonia. The results proved that C. triumfettii subsp. triumfettii does not occur in the western Carpathians and Pannonia. Instead, populations in this area are provisionally treated as C. triumfetti subsp. axillaris, C. triumfettii subsp. dominii and C. triumfettii subsp. strictus. The complex morphological variation of these subspecies is discussed and the need for further taxonomic studies is emphasized.