Taxonomy of Cardamine amara (Cruciferae) in the Iberian Peninsula

Cardamine amara is represented in the Iberian Peninsula by two subspecies: the diploid (2n = 16) subsp. pyrenaea, occurring in the Eastern Pyrenees, a nd the tetraploid (2n = 32) subsp. olotensis, concentrated at the lower alt itudes in Catalonia, N and NE of Barcelona. Morphometric analysis of popula tions of these taxa and four other subspecies of C. amara, which occur in o ther parts of Europe, supported their subspecific distinctness. RAPD (Rando m Amplified Polymorphic DNA) analysis of all six European subspecies of C. amara provided more evidence supporting this taxonomic treatment. Lectotype s were designated for the following names: C. amara var. parviflora Cadeval l, C. amara subsp. pyrenaea Sennen, C. amara subsp. siifolia Sennen, and C. amporitana Sennen & Pau.