Hiding in plain sight: Two new species of alpine thistles, Cirsium culebraensis and C. funkiae (Cardueae)
from the southern Rocky Mountains (United States)

Jennifer Ackerfield

Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver, CO 80206, U.S.A.

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6797-1088

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.53875/capitulum.01.2.01

ABSTRACT: The circumscription of the Cirsium eatonii varietal complex of North American alpine thistles has changed significantly given recent molecular phylogenetic studies demonstrating that the complex was not monophyletic. To improve their taxonomy, all varieties within the C. eatonii complex were recognized as distinct species. However, three remaining unique evolutionary lineages corresponded to undescribed phenotypic variation. Two of these lineages from the southern Rocky Mountains in the United States are described and illustrated here as Cirsium culebraensis sp. nov. and Cirsium funkiae sp. nov. A combination of molecular, morphological, and geographical evidence, as well as, a bit of historical detective work was used to sort out the C. eatonii varietal complex taxonomy. A key to the recognized species is provided.

Keywords: Funk’s thistle, Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Culebra Range