Taraxacum perlatescens Dahlstedt (1926b: 13)

Kirschner, Jan, Štěpánek, Jan & Buryy, Vladimir V., 2025, Towards a revision of Taraxacum sect. Borealia (Compositae, Crepidinae) in Siberia and the continental Far East, with special reference to the dandelions of the Altai and Kamchatka, Phytotaxa 679 (1), pp. 1-147 : 104-108

43. Taraxacum perlatescens Dahlstedt (1926b: 13)

Type:—[ RUSSIA, Kamchatka] Kamtchatka, Savoiko , 9 Jul 1920, E. Hultén 355b ( S 12-27454 !, lectotype, designated here) . – Kamtchatka australis, Bogatyrjovka, southern shore of Avatcha Bay , 16 Jun 1920, E. Hultén 443 ( S 12-27452 !, residual syntype; S 12-27453 !, residual syntype) .

Etymology:—Broadening in an extreme way.

= Taraxacum platyceras Dahlstedt (1926b: 6)

Type:—[ RUSSIA, Kamchatka] Syd-Kamtchatka, Kurilska sjön, 27 Aug 1922, E . Hultén 4418 ( S 12-27450 !, syntype; S 10-40926 !, syntype) .

= Taraxacum anchorifolium Komarov (1930: 197) , as “anchoraefolium”

Type:—[ RUSSIA, Kamchatka] Kamchatka, r. Ozernaya , dolinka rechki [Ozernaya River, valley of a little river], 8 Jun 1908 [21 Jun 1908, Gregorian Calendar], E. Bezais 34 ( LE, no. det. 6135, lectotype, fide Schischkin 1964: 462) .

= Taraxacum longipes Komarov (1930: 198)

Type:—[ RUSSIA, Kamchatka] Lesnye luga po doline Paratunki bliz Nikolaevskogo selenia [woodland meadows along the valley of Paratunka near the Nikiolaevskiy settlement], 9 Jul 1908 [Gregorian calendar: 22 Jul 1908], V. Komarov ( LE, no. det. 6077, lectotype, designated by Tzvelev in Schischkin 1964: 458) .

Plants robust, medium-sized, usually 12–15 cm, later to 30 cm tall. Petiole winged to almost unwinged, purplish, sparsely arachnoid, tunic absent. Leaves deep green, sparsely arachnoid to subglabrous, broadly oblanceolate in outline, ca. (6–) 8–12 (–20) × (2–) 3–4 (–6) cm, usually pinnatisect, less often pinnatifid to undivided, with 2–3 (5) pairs of patent to almost hamate, ± narrowly deltoid-triangular lateral segments, distal margin convex to ± straight, subentire in outer leaves, dentate or with 1–3 distinct triangular lobules or an incision, proximal margin ± straight or concave, entire; terminal segment ± helmet-shaped to triangular, margins entire or with a single tooth or ± lobulate, basal lobules short, subrecurved; interlobes distinct, narrow, usually 5–10 × 3–5 mm, ± dentate; mid-vein usually purplish. Scapes brownish green and often suffused purplish, sparsely arachnoid, densely so below capitulum, ± equalling or overtopping leaves. Capitulum yellow, 3–4 (–5) cm wide. Involucre deep olivaceous-green, (9–) 10–11 (–14) mm wide and broadly rounded at base. Outer phyllaries numerous, (12) 16–19 (22), appressed, ± not imbricate or subimbricate, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, the outermost ones often broadly ovate, usually (6–) 7.5–10 (–11) × (2.0–) 2.8–4.5 (–6.0) mm, the variably broad middle part blackish green to dark olivaceous-green, with a subabrupt transition in a broad, whitish-membranous border (0.4–) 0.5–1.0 mm wide, sometimes there is a paler green zone intercalated between the dark and whitish parts, margin ciliate, apex with a thick blackish green obtuse horn 1–2 mm long; inner phyllaries dark olivaceous-green, 15–17 (–18) mm long, corniculate or with short horns. Outer ligules flat to ± canaliculate, striped purplish grey outside. Stigmas dark discoloured, green or greyish green. Pollen present, irregular. Achenes light greyish stramineous-brown, (4.4–) 4.7–5.2 (–5.5) × 1.0–1.1 (–1.3) mm, body ± densely covered with thin, relatively long spinules in upper 1/3–1/5, subgradually to subabruptly narrowing into a subcylindrical cone (0.7–) 0.9–1.2 mm long, usually 0.4–0.5 mm thick at base, ca. 0.4 mm distally; beak thin, ca. (8–) 10–12 (–14) mm long, pappus yellowish white, ca. 6.5–7.5 mm long. – Fig. 71–73 .

Diagnostic notes:—The numerous, subimbricate, large, ± ovate, broadly and conspicuously bordered outer phyllaries, usually relatively narrow petioles, an unusual leaf shape, and the long, distinct spinulosity of achenes with a subcylindrical cone form a good basis for comparisons with other species of T. sect. Borealia. There is a striking match with the attributes of the original material of T. anchorifolium , T. platyceras and T. longipes , and the differences are found in taxonomically less important characters (size of leaves, colours), or they are a consequence of different ontogenetic stages of individual plants. Important, decisive features that correspond, whenever available, to one another within this group are the dark discoloured stigmas, the densely, relatively long spinulose achene body, the subcylindrical cone (0.7–) 0.8–1.0 (–1.2) mm long, the basic features of the leaf shape (leaf blade usually pinnatisect, with patent to hamate lateral segments), and the large, numerous, very broadly and conspicuously bordered outer phyllaries. The only feature to be considered as rather doubtful is the absence of pollen (pollen is clearly present in the type of T. anchorifolium , questionably absent in those of T. longipes and T. perlatescens ). The conspecific status of the above three names is adopted in the present paper; it was already suggested by Tzvelev (1992: 382). Another name to be accepted as a synonym is T. platyceras but its original material is rather scanty for an absolutely certain conclusion; T. platyceras is another name based on a rather inadequate material. Leaves are rather late (that is why they are unusually conspicuously dentate and lobulate, with a narrow petiole). The appressed, large, ± imbricate, ± broadly bordered outer phyllaries, and densely spinulose achenes with a subconical to subcylindrical cone may be considered as decisive for the inclusion of this name in T. perlatescens .

In order to facilitate the comparison of the above three synonyms, we give complete descriptions of the type specimens of each of these names, together with images with details of important characters; the description given under T. perlatescens is based on the complete material available.

Distribution:—When T.anchorifolium , T.longipes and T.platyceras are considered as synonyms of T.perlatescens , this species seems to be relatively widely distributed in Kamchatka; it has not been recorded outside the peninsula (although there is an unverified, and possibly incorrect record in Kitamura 1933). The most frequent occurrence was recorded along the eastern coast of the south-central and southern parts of the peninsula. As regards the habitat, it most commonly occurs on sandy or rocky sites along the coast.

Specimens examined:—[ RUSSIA] Kamchatka, Bystrinskiy District, Bystrinskiy Nature Park, Esso village , road verge, 500 m, 15 Aug 2014, V. V. Buryy (herb. V. V. Buryy, no. det. 36852, a less certain determination) . – Kamchatka, eastern coast, Elizovskiy District, vicinity of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, Khalaktyrskiy Beach [ca. 25 km E of the town], the coast of Avachinskiy Bay , sand, common, 4 Sep 1991, O. Chernyagina ( KAM, no. det. 36783) . – Kamchatka, Avachinskiy Bay of the Pacific Ocean, Starichkov Island , coastal rock, quite common, 24 Jun 2004, O. Chernyagina ( KAM, no. det. 36775). – Ibidem, 25 Jun 2002, O. Chernyagina ( KAM, no. det. 36773). – Ibidem, dry slopes on shallow soils, 20 Jun 2006, O. Chernyagina & V. Kirichenko ( KAM, no. det. 36921) . – Kamchatka, eastern coast, Yelizovskiy District, Vilyucha River basin, Vilyuchinskie goryachie klyuchi [thermal springs of Vilyucha], 26 Jun 1993, O. Chernyagina ( KAM, no. det. 36782) . – Kamchatka, Bystrinskiy District, Esso village , road verge, 14 Jun 2014, V. V. Buryy (herb. V. V. Buryy, no. det. 36781) . – Kamchatka, Bystrinskiy District, valley of the river of Bystraya ( Kozyrevskaya ), sandy site along a path, 55°50.727’N, 158°37.037’E, 574 m, 9 Jul 2015, V. V. Buryy T010 , T011 & T100 (herb. V. V. Buryy, no. det. 36935). – Elizovskiy District , vicinity of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, near the mouth of Khalaktyrka River , 16 Jul 2007, V. V. Yakubov 54 ( NSK 23078 , photo!) .

Description of the original material of T. anchorifolium :—Plants robust, ca. 15 cm tall at full flowering. Petiole winged or narrowly winged, usually suffused pinkish, tunic absent. Leaves ± light green, initially ± arachnoid, later glabrescent, ± oblanceolate in outline, ca. (6–) 7–9 (–12) × (2–) 2.5–3.0 (–4.5) cm, pinnatisect, with 3–4 pairs of large hamate or hamate-recurved, usually narrowly triangular lateral segments, distal margin convex, entire, or irregularly dentate in proximal segments, proximal margin ± concave, entire, apex obtuse to subacute; terminal segment ± helmet-shaped or narrowly so, or ± broadly triangular, often obtuse to subobtuse, entire or with a single asymmetrical incision, basal lobules ± hamate; interlobes narrow, 5–7 (–10) × 3–5 mm, often denticulate; mid-vein probably light green. Scapes brownish green, suffused purplish proximally, arachnoid, ± equalling leaves. Capitulum yellow, ca. 5 cm wide. Involucre ± olivaceous-green, ca. 12–14 mm wide and broadly rounded at base. Outer phyllaries numerous, ca. 15–18, appressed, ± not imbricate to subimbricate, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, ca. (7.5–) 8.5–9.5 × (2.2–) 3.0– 4.5 mm, light green with a dark olivaceous-green middle strip, most of surface pale to whitish green with a gradual transition in a whitish-membranous border at least 0.5 mm wide, margin ± ciliate, apex with a blackish green thick horn ca. 1.0– 1.5 mm long; inner phyllaries ca. 15–17 mm long, deep olivaceous-green, corniculate. Outer ligules ± canaliculate, narrow, striped grey or grey-pink outside. Stigmas greenish. Pollen present. Achenes unknown.

Description of the original material of T. longipes :—Plants obviously growing in a tall vegetation, robust, ca. 10–35 cm tall. Petiole winged, usually suffused purplish, subglabrous. Leaves probably deep green, slightly greyish, glabrescent, early middle leaves ± oblanceolate in outline, ca. 10–12 × 2.5–3 cm, pinnatilobed to pinnatifid, with a distinct, triangular terminal segment with distal margin remotely lobulate, lateral segments in 2–3 pairs, ± short, patent, lingulate-triangular, often subobtuse, usually entire; later leaves (early fruiting stage) much longer, to 25 × 5 cm, with ± unwinged, elongated petiole, an elongated triangular terminal segment and patent-subrecurved, often dentate lateral segments, mid-vein usually suffused purplish. Scapes brownish green, arachnoid, mainly below capitulum, ± overtopping leaves. Capitulum yellow, ca. 4 cm wide. Involucre deep olivaceous-green, usually robust, ca. 11–12 mm wide and broadly rounded at base. Outer phyllaries ca. 13–16, appressed, subimbricate, broadly ovate (the innermost ones ovate to ovate lanceolate), usually 8–11 × (3.5–) 4–6 mm, with a blackish green middle strip usually 1–2 mm wide, with a gradual transition in a dominant pale greenish zone, border distinct, whitish-membranous, ca. 0.5–0.8 mm wide, margin probably sparsely ciliate, apex with a black thick horn ca. 1.5 mm long; inner phyllaries 17–20 mm, later to 23 mm long, sometimes coalescing, apex black corniculate. Outer ligules flat, striped ± grey or light greyish-purplish outside, teeth grey-purple, inner ligule teeth purplish. Stigmas dark discoloured, with blackish pubescence outside. Pollen probably present.Achenes light greyish (light) stramineous-brown, 5.1–5.5 × 1.1–1.3 mm, body densely covered with long, suberect, acuminate spinules in upper 1/3–1/2, some over 0.4 mm long, some inserted on lower third of the cone, body subgradually narrowing into a subcylindrical cone 0.8–1.0 mm long, usually 0.4–0.5 mm thick at base, ca. 0.4 mm distally; beak thin, 12–14 mm long, pappus yellowish white, ca. & mm long.

Description of the original material of T. platyceras :—Plants robust, to ca. 30 cm tall. Petiole (in late leaves) narrow, unwinged to narrowly winged, sometimes suffused purplish, sparsely arachnoid to subglabrous, tunic absent. Leaves (only rather late leaves available) ± deep green, subglabrous, usually very sparsely arachnoid along mid-vein beneath, oblanceolate to sparsely oblanceolate in outline, (5–) 10–15 (–20) × (1.5–) 3–5 (–6.5) cm, pinnatisect, with 4–5 pairs of large, patent, narrowly deltoid-triangular lateral segments, distal margin straight, usually with several conspicuous, perpendicular, acute teeth and lobules, proximal margin straight, usually denticulate; terminal segment broadly triangular to helmet-shaped, hastate to subsagittae, margins often entire, or with an incision; interlobes short, dentate and lobulate. Scapes brownish green, usually suffused purplish, sparsely arachnoid, overtopping leaves. Capitulum yellow, 3.5–4.5 cm wide. Involucre dark olivaceous-green, ca. 10 mm wide and rounded at base. Outer phyllaries ca. 14–19, appressed, imbricate, ovate to lanceolate, 6–8 (–10) × (2–) 2.5–3.5 (–4) mm, surface ± evenly dark olivaceous-green, often with a blackish middle line and slightly paler surface, border not conspicuous, whitish-membranous, distally suffused purplish, ca. 0.4–0.5 mm wide, rarely to 0.8 mm wide, apex usually with a thick short horn; inner phyllaries ca. 15–16 mm long, flat to corniculate. Outer ligules ± flat, striped grey-pink outside. Stigmas dark discoloured. Pollen present. Achenes light greyish stramineous-brown, ca. 4.5–5 × 1.1–1.2 mm, body densely spinulose in upper 1/3–1/5, subabruptly narrowing in a subconical to subcylindrical cone ca. 0.7–0.9 mm long; beak thin, 9–10 mm long; pappus white, 7–7.5 mm long.

Species with outer phyllaries appressed, of a narrow shape, with a well developed border

Figures

FIGURE 71. Taraxacum perlatescens. A, a detail of involucre (S 12-27453, original material of the name T. perlatescens); B, a detail of late involucre (S 12-27450, syntype of the name T. platyceras). Scale bar = 10 mm.

FIGURE 72. Taraxacum perlatescens. General habit of the type specimen of T. anchorifolium. (LE, no. det. 6135). Scale bar = 5 cm.

FIGURE 73. Taraxacum perlatescens. Details of the original material of T. longipes. A, B, details of flower heads and involucres; C, achenes (all LE, no. det. 6077, lectotype).