Towards a taxonomic revision of the genus Trollius (Ranunculaceae) in the Asian part of Russia. I. Trollius chinensis: taxonomic and geographical reconsiderations

The present paper opens a series of publications by the author on taxonomy and geography of the genus Trollius L. in the Asian part of Russia. Trollius chinensis Bunge was chosen as a focus of the paper, since the current status of knowledge of taxonomy and geography of this species appeared to be inadequate. Results of the research prove a vast distribution range of T. chinensis in Russia within which there is a number of contact zones with another species of the genus, resulting in active interspecific hybridization. Detailed adjusted morphological description and list of synonyms are elaborated, T. vitalii Stepanov and T. chinensis subsp. macropetalus (Regel) Luferov are reduced to synonymy; combination T. macropetalus (Regel) F. Schmidt should be considered invalidly published and withdrawn from usage. Occurrence of T. chinensis in Mongolia (Harhiraa Mountain Area) is recorded for the first time.