Nomenclatural and taxonomic notes on some Centaurea taxa (Asteraceae) from southern Italy

Abstract

We studied the application of the neglected name Centaurea leucolepis DC., concluding, by examination of the literature andoriginal material, that the associated taxon is C. corensis Vals. et Filig., endemic to Campania region (southern Italy) and introducedinto Sardinia. The name by Candolle is legitimate and it is here lectotypified by a specimen kept at G. In addition, after field surveysand herbarium searches, we suggest that this taxon should be considered as a subspecies of C. deusta Ten., a very polymorphic speciesof south-eastern Europe, proposing a new combination and providing a detailed description. In addition, we provide the validationof the name C. cineraria subsp. sirenum, endemic to Sirenuse islands (province of Salerno). Finally, a new natural hybrid within C.sect. Centaurea (C. montaltensis × C. deusta subsp. deusta) is described on the basis of the diagnosis and a specimen at PI by MicheleGuadagno.