Chelonanthus alatus (Aubl.) Pulle
The widespread weed, Chelonathus alatus has the widest distribution within the genus (distribution map) and is highly variable in morphology. Since this name was first published by Aublet in 1775, 13 other species names have been synonymized within C. alatus resulting in more than 35 associated names with this taxon (list of synonyms as Word document (or pdf)).
A survey of more than 2200 herbarium specimens (duplicates included) has revealed six morphotypes within Chelonanthus alatus. Phylogenetic and ordination techniques are being implemented to determine if these six morphotypes represent distinct species.
Copyright Kate Lepis 2006, All rights reserved.