SYSTEMATICS OF KALIMERIS (ASTERACEAE, ASTEREAE)

The genus Kalimeris (Asteraceae: Astereae) comprises a monophyletic gr oup, with the exclusion of section Cordifolium, characterized by later ally compressed achenes with short pappus bristles no longer than the length of the corolla tube. This genus of herbaceous perennials is nat ive in East Asia and generally occurs in disturbed habitats. It has cl ose relationships with Asian Aster and Heteropappus, as revealed by ex ternal as well as internal morphological comparisons and cytological s tudies. Its supposed relationship with the North American genus Bolton ia is shown to be superficial. The species of Kalimeris are all closel y related, and comprise a polyploid series ranging from diploid to 12- ploid with x = 9. Eight species and ten subspecies of Kalimeris are re cognized in this treatment.