Taxonomy of Cardamine amara (Cruciferae) in the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

Cardamine amara is represented in the Iberian Peninsula by two subspecies: the diploid (2n = 16) subsp. pyrenaea, occurring in the Eastern Pyrenees, and the tetraploid (2n = 32) subsp. olotensis, concentrated at the lower altitudes in Catalonia, N and NE of Barcelona. Morphometric analysis of populations of these taxa and four other subspecies of C. amara, which occur in other parts of Europe, supported their subspecific distinctness. RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) analysis of all six European subspecies of C. amara provided more evidence supporting this taxonomic treatment. Lectotypes were designated for the following names: C. amara var. parviflora Cadevall, C. amara subsp. pyrenaea Sennen, C. amara subsp. siifolia Sennen, and C. amporitana Sennen & Pau.