A new record of <i>Carpesium matsuei</i> (Asteraceae) from Korea

Eun-Mi SUN; Kyong-Sook CHUNG; Han-Soo PARK; Hyoung-Tak IM

doi:10.11110/kjpt.2026.56.2.165

Abstract

Carpesium matsuei Tatew. et Kitam. (Asteraceae) is reported from Mt. Gwangdeoksan in southwestern Korea for the first time. This species was previously known to be endemic to Japan. Carpesium matsuei is characterized by the following morphological characters: axillary, sessile heads forming raceme-like synflorescences; ovoid to globose involucres; and ovate basal leaves with acuminate apices and cordate bases. We propose a new Korean name, “Gwang-deok-dam-bae-pul,” based on the locality of the collection.

Keywords: Carpesium, Carpesium matsuei, Gwangdeoksan, new to Korean flora

The genus Carpesium (Asteraceae) includes about 20 species, mainly found in Central and Eastern Asia. In Korea, seven species—C. abratanoides, C. glossopyllum, C. rosulatum, C. macrocephalum, C. divaricatum, C. cernuum, and C. triste—have been documented (Kim, 2020).

During a natural environment survey, we collected a species of Carpesium at the forest edge of Mt. Gwangdeoksan in Asan-si, southwestern Korea (Fig. 1). After reviewing the literature and herbarium specimens (KB and KH), we concluded that this plant is Carpesium matsuei Tatew. et Kitam., reported from Korea for the first time. It had been widely collected in mountainous regions of Korea and stored in herbaria as C. divaricatum.

Carpesium matsuei was originally described as an endemic species of Japan (Kitamura, 1936), and it was later classified as C. divaricatum var. matsuei (Tatew. et Kitam.) Kitam. (Kitamura, 1957). Since then, the taxonomic treatment of this taxon has been divided into two opinions: Carpesium matsuei Tatew. et Kitam. (Ohwi, 1965; Kato and Ebihara, 2011) and C. divaricatum var. matsuei (Tatew. et Kitam.) Kitam. (Iwatsuki et al., 1995; Ohashi et al., 2017).

Carpesium matsuei is characterized by the following characters: heads axillary, sessile, composing loose raceme-like synflorescences; involucres ovoid to subglobose; basal leaves ovate, apex acute to acuminate, base cordate. In contrast, the heads of C. divaricatum are solitary on each branch, and its basal leaves are ovate to ovate-oblong, apex obtuse to acute, and base rounded to truncate. In addition, the racemose synflorescences of C. matsuei better resemble those of C. abratanoides than those of C. divaricatum (Fig. 2, Table 1).

In a preliminary experiment, the chromosome number of 2n = 36 was observed in C. matsuei (a Korean population, unpublished data). The chromosome number differs from those reported in Japanese populations: C. matsuei (2n = 40, 40 + 2B, 40 + 3B) and C. divaricatum (2n = 40) (Cho, 1991). Variations in chromosome number within Carpesium have been noted in several taxa, such as C. abrotanoides L.: 2n = 36 in Hokkaido, Japan (Nishikawa, 1984); 2n = 40 and 40 + 2B in Tokyo, Japan (Cho, 1991); 2n = 36 in Mussoorie, India (Gupta et al., 2012); and 2n = 54 in Shanghai, China (Xu et al., 1992). Chromosome data plays an important role in Carpesium taxonomy and evolution. To better understand chromosome variation and its significance in C. matsuei, additional cytological and morphological studies are progressing well. Based on current morphological and cytological data, it appears more appropriate to treat this plant as a separate species rather than a variety of another species. The key morphological features of Korean Carpesium, including C. matsuei, are summarized (Table 1). We also provide a key to the Korean species of Carpesium.

Carpesium matsuei Tatew. et Kitam., Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 5: 27, 1936.—TYPE: JAPAN. Hokkaido: Ishikari Prov., Nopporo, 5 Sep 1935, M. Tatewaki (holotype: KYO).

Korean name: Gwang-deok-dam-bae-pul.

Carpesium divaricatum var. matsuei (Tatew. et Kitam.) Kitam., Mem. Coll. Sci. Kyoto Univ. Ser. B. 24: 48, 1957.

Herbs, perennial, stout, 30–100 cm tall. Rhizomes short, thick, stout. Stems erect, flexuous, divaricate in the upper part, densely pubescent with appressed fine hairs. Leaves radical and cauline; radical leaves withered before flowering; lower cauline leaves ovate, 9–20 × 6–14 cm, apex acute to acuminate, base cordate, margin irregularly shallow mucronate-toothed, both surfaces pubescent with tiny hairs, lower surface minute glandular-dotted; petiole shorter than blade, 8–12 cm long, narrowly winged only in the upper part; median leaves oblong, apex acuminate, base cuneate; upper leaves gradually smaller, sessile. Heads axillary, sessile on each branch, composing loose raceme-like synflorescences, nodding at flowering; involucres ovoid to subglobose, 5–6 × 6–9 mm; phyllaries in 3–4 series, scarious, imbricate; outer phyllaries broadly ovate, mucronate, about half the length of the inner phyllaries; inner phyllaries linear, apex obtuse, 5–8 mm long. Florets numerous, cylindric, 5-lobed, yellow; marginal florets female, 1.8–2 mm long; disc florets bisexual, 3–4 mm long. Achenes cylindric, ca. 3.5 mm long. (Fig. 2)

Flowering: July to October.

Distribution: Japan, Korea (Mt. Gwangdeoksan).

Specimens examined: KOREA. Gyeonggi-do: Gapyeonggun, Buk-myeon, Jeongmok-ri, Mt. Gangssibong, elev. 377 m, 21 Aug 2018, J. D. Lee et al. 18310-1 (KB); Gapyeonggun, Seolak-myeon, Mt. Yumyeongsan, elev. 980 m, 16 Aug 2007, W. K. Paik 940 (KH); 17 Aug 2007, W. K. Paik 377064-0130 (KB). Gangwon-do: Hwacheon-gun, Sane-myeon, Mt. Gwangdeoksan, Hoemok-ryeong, elev. 1,018 m, 15 Aug 2008, E. S. Jeon 80614 (KH); Hoengseong-gun, Dunnae-myeon, Hwadeok-ri, Mt. Taegisan, elev. 457 m, 25 Aug 2012, G. Y. Byeon et al. 110547 (KH); Hoengseong-gun, Dunnae-myeon, Mt. Cheongtaesan, elev. 739 m, 15 Oct 2011, S. J. Ji et al. L111530 (KH). Chungcheongbuk-do: Danyang-gun, Daegangmyeon, Oisan-ri, elev. 847 m, K. N. Jeon S2323-1467 (KB). Chungcheongnam-do: Asan-si, Songhak-myeon, Gangdan-ri, Mt. Gwangdeoksan, 22 Jul 2014, H.D. Son & E.M. Sun 233491 (CNU); 14 Aug 2025, H.T. Im & K.S. Chung 248900a, b (CNU). Gyeongsangbuk-do: Gimcheon-si, Buhang-myeon, Haein-ri, Mt. Minjujisan, elev. 900 m, 30 Sep 2011, H. J. Kim 110930-74 (KB); Gimcheon-si, Jeungsan-myeon, Pyeongchon-ri, Mt. Sudosan, elev. 519 m, 6 Aug 2018, Y. H. Jin & M. K. Lee JYH180806-17 (KB); Mungyeong-eup, Jungpyeong-ri, Mt. Daemisan, Heoriteo, elev. 650 m, 2 Sep 2012, B. U. Oh et al. 131936 (KH). Chungcheongnam-do, Cheonan-si, Mt. Gwangdeoksan, 26 Jul 2001, G. W Park & J. Y. Kim 018468 (KH). Jeollabuk-do: Jangsu-gun, Jyenam-myeon, Mt. Baekhwasan, 5 Sep 1999, B. U. Oh et al. (KH). Jeollanam-do: Gurye-gun, Ganjeonmyeon, Jungdae-ri, Mt. Baekunsan, elev. 835 m, 2 Sep 2013, Y. H. Cho & H. J. Na 20130902-010 (KB).

Key to species of Carpesium in Korea

1. Radical leaves rosulate.
- 2. Radical leaves oblanceolate; involucre subglobose ·············································· C. glossophyllum
- 2. Radical leaves spatulate-lanceolate; involucre depressed-globose ······································· C. rosulatum
1. Radical leaves withered before anthesis.
- 3. Plants biennial; stems dichotomously forked ·························································· C. abratanoides
- 3. Plants perennial; stems not forked.
  - 4. Involucre over 2 cm in diameter ······························································ C. macrocephalum
  - 4. Involucre less than 2 cm in diameter.
    
    5. Petiole distinctly winged.
    
    6. Involucre cupuliform, over 1 cm in diameter ·········································· C. cernuum
    
    6. Involucre cupuliform, less than 1 cm in diameter ·································· C. triste
    
    5. Petiole narrowly winged only in the upper part.
    
    7. Heads pedunculate; lower cauline leaves rounded to truncate ··········· C. divaricatum
    
    7. Heads sessile; lower cauline leaves cordate ························································· C. matsuei

NOTES

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to KB and KH. This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Ecology (NIE), funded by the Ministry of Environment (MOE) of the Republic of Korea (NIE-A-2025-01).

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Fig. 1

Distribution of Carpesium matsuei. Distribution data in Japan based on Endemic Plants of Japan (Kato and Ebihara, 2011).

Fig. 2

Major morphological characteristics of Carpesium matsuei. A. Habit. B. Whole plant. C. Basal leaf. D. Cauline leaf. E. Synflorescence. F. Capitulum (front view). G. Capitulum (side view). H. Longitudinal section of the capitulum. I. Stem. J. Tubular floret. K. Fruiting head. L. Achene.

Table 1

Important morphological characters of Korean Carpesium.

Character	C. abrotanoides	C. cernuum	C. divaricatum	C. glossophyllum	C. macrocephalum	C. rosulatum	C. triste	C. matsuei
Stem
Length (cm)	50–100	30–100	25–150	25–50 ca.	100	5–45	40–100	30–100
Hair	Upward pubescent	Densely white villous	Densely pubescent	Densely pubescent	Short pubescent	Densely pubescent	Dense1y pubescent	Densely pubescent
Leaves
Shape	Broadly elliptic to oblong	Spatulate to oblong	Ovate to ovate-oblong	Oblong, lanceolate	Broadly ovate	Spatulate, lanceolate	Ovate to oblong	Ovate to broadly ovate
Apex	Acute to obtuse	Obtuse	Acute to obtuse	Acute, obtuse	Acute	Obtuse to rounded	Acuminate	Acute, acuminate
Margin	Mucronate-dentate	Doubly serrate	Mucronate dentate	Entire	Double toothed	Sparsely mucronate toothed	Mucronate toothed	Mucronate toothed
Base	Narrowed	Abruptly narrowed	Rounded, cordate or truncate	Cuneate	Abruptly narrowed	Oblanceolate	Rounded	Cordate
Length (cm)	20–28	9–25	7–23	9–15	30–40	6–15	13–20	9–20
Width (cm)	8–15	4–6	3–10	2.5–3.5	10–13	1.2–3	3–5	6–14
Petiolate	Broadly winged	Winged	Shortly winged	-	Winged	-	Winged	Narrowly winged
Bract
Shape	Long oblong	Linear-lanceolate	Lanceolate	Linear	Linear-lanceolate	Obovate	Linear-lanceolate	Lanceolate
Flowering season	Sep to Nov	Jul to Sep	Aug to Oct	Aug to Oct	Aug to Oct	Aug to Oct	Aug to Oct	Aug to Oct
Head
Type	Axillary, branches	Branches or axillary, nodding	Terminal on branches	Terminal branches, nodding	Terminal, long peduncles	Terminal	Branches	Axillary, sessile on each branch
Shape	Campanulate globose	Cupuliform	Ovoid	Cupuliform	Cupuliform	Depressed globose	Campanulate	Ovoid to subglobose
Length (mm)	7–10	7–8	6–8	5–8	8–10	6.5	5–6	5–6
Diameter (mm) ca.	5	15–18	5–6	8–15	23–30 ca.	5	6–10	6–9
Involucre
Phyllaries	3 seriate	2 seriate	4 seriate	5 seriate	4 seriate	3 seriate	3 seriate	3–4 seriate
Florets
Corolla length (mm)	1.5	1.5	2.5	2.5	3.5	2.5	2.5	1.8–2
Disc length (mm)	2.5	2.5	3–3.5	3.5	4	2.5	3.5	3–4
Fruit
Achene length (mm)	3.5	4.5–5	3.5	3.5–4	5.5–6	3.5	3–3.5	3.5

LITERATURE CITED

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A new record of Carpesium matsuei (Asteraceae) from Korea