ANDERSON, LORAN C. Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4073 U.S.A.. - Cacalia in America: from Arnoglossum to Yermo.
Cacalia in America: from Arnoglossum to Yermo. Taxa from the
United States previously assigned to Cacalia, because of their shared
character of generally creamy-white flowers, can be better placed in
four genera: Argnoglossum, Hasteola, Psacalium, and Rugelia. In
addition, the recently described genus Yermo belongs somewhere in this
polyphyletic grouping, probably nearest Arnoglossum, even though it
has bright-yellow flowers. Arnoglossum is the largest stirctly
American genus, with eight species; Hasteola has two (some Asian
species have been assigned here but do not belong), whereas Rugelia
and Yermo are monotypic. Psacalium is a Mexican- centered genus with
about 40 species, but only one enters the United States (in southern
Arizona). The group is heterogeneous; nearly every genus has a
distinctive chromosome number. Hasteola does not even belong to the
same subtribe of Senecioneae as the others.
Key words: Arnoglossum, Hasteola, Yermo