• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.111-124
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• 1994

The delimitation and systematic relationships of the C. foetida complex and related species were evaluated by numerical methods, including principal components analysis and cluster analysis of major morphological characters. Results of these analyses strongly support recognition of three varieties in C. foetida; these include C. foetida var. foetida, C. foetida var. micrantha, and C. foetida var. velutita. The results also indicated that C. brachycarpa, C. frigida, C. heracleifolia, and C. yunnanensis are distinct species, and C. heracleifolia comprises C. heracleifolia var. heracleifolia and C heracleifolia var. bifida. Cimicifuga mairei and C. foetida var. foliolosa, however, appeared to be morphologically indistinguishable from C. foetida var. velutina. In addition, C. foetida var. longibracteata and C. foetida var. bifula are conspecific with C. frigida.rigida.