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Synotis nyalamensis (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), a new species from Nyalam county in southern Xizang (Tibet), China, is described and illustrated. It is most closely similar to S. kunthiana, a species occurring in northwestern India, Nepal, and Pakistan, in having abaxially white-tomentose leaves and cylindric-campanulate capitula, but differs by having higher stature (45–60 vs. 20–40 cm), singular (vs. several) stems, caudate-acuminate (vs. acuminate) leaf tips, prominent (vs. obscure) nerves on abaxial side of leaves, and more disk florets (15–24 vs. 7–12).

Arnica japonica L. f. and A. japonica Thunb. have long been controversial about their identities and nomenclature, largely due to the mysterious type material of Arnica japonica L. f. We locate the original material of Arnica japonica L. f., viz., LINN-HS 1322.1, and clarify the misleading description about its leaf form. Arnica japonica L. f. is revealed to be conspecific with A. japonica Thunb. Taxonomic and nomenclatural changes are made accordingly for these two names, and for Gynura japonica and Syneilesis palmata, another two names also involved in this issue. A second-step lectotype of Arnica japonica Thunb. is designated because of the taxonomically mixed material of the original lectotype.

Careful examination of herbarium specimens and observations in the field demonstrate that the morphological features including the stature, the growing style of leaves, the shape of inflorescence as well as the length of peduncles of Synotis longipes are all within the variation range of S. duclouxii, thus S. longipes is morphologically non-distinct from S. duclouxii and should be placed as a synonym of the latter. Color plates, distribution map of S. duclouxii and its related species are provided; the description of S. duclouxii is also revised.

The sectional placement of Senecio racemulifer (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) and the generic affiliation of S. acutipinnus and S. graciliflorus have been in dispute. Senecio racemulifer was tentatively considered a member of S. sect. Doria, and S. acutipinnus and S. graciliflorus were transferred to the genus Jacobaea as J. acutipinna and J. graciliflora, respectively. Our phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ITS/ETS sequences indicate that S. racemulifer is deeply nested with Jacobaea species in a well-supported clade while S. acutipinnus and S. graciliflorus are nested with other Senecio species in a well-supported clade. We therefore transfer S. racemulifer to Jacobaea as J. racemulifera but retain S. acutipinnus and S. graciliflorus within Senecio. The names Jacobaea acutipinna, J. graciliflora, J. sect. Graciliflorae and S. ser. Racemuliferae are all synonymized. Karyological characters are reported for the three species. Jacobaea racemulifera, earlier known from the Western Tian-Shan (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan), is reported here as new to China.

The tribe Senecioneae is one of the largest tribes in Asteraceae, with a nearly cosmopolitan distribution. Despite great efforts devoted to elucidate the evolution of Senecioneae, many questions still remain concerning the systematics of this group, from the tribal circumscription and position to species relationships in many genera. The hybridization-based target enrichment method of next-generation sequencing has been accepted as a promising approach to resolve phylogenetic problems. We herein develop a set of single-/low-copy genes for Senecioneae, and test their phylogenetic utilities. Our results demonstrate that these genes work highly efficiently for Senecioneae, with a high average gene recovery of 98.8% across the tribe and recovering robust phylogenetic hypotheses at different levels. In particular, the delimitation of the Senecioneae has been confirmed to include Abrotanella and exclude Doronicum, with the former sister to core Senecioneae and the latter shown to be more closely related to Calenduleae. Moreover, Doronicum and Calenduleae are inferred to be the closest relatives of Senecioneae, which is a new hypothesis well supported by statistical topology tests, morphological evidence, and the profile of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, a special kind of chemical characters generally used to define Senecioneae. Furthermore, this study suggests a complex reticulation history in the diversification of Senecioneae, accounting for the prevalence of polyploid groups in the tribe. With subtribe Tussilagininae s.str. as a case study showing a more evident pattern of gene duplication, we further explored reconstructing the phylogeny in the groups with high ploidy levels. Our results also demonstrate that tree topologies based on sorted paralogous copies are stable across different methods of phylogenetic inference, and more congruent with the morphological evidence and the results of previous phylogenetic studies.

The controversy over the valid publication of Notonia grandiflora (Asteraceae: Senecioneae) is clarified, and the lectotype is designated for the name.

We demonstrate that the controversial Parasenecio delphiniiphyllus (known from northeastern Yunnan and western Guizhou, China) is not conspecific with P. delphiniifolius (Japan) since these two species are readily distinguishable by inflorescence structure and involucre length, as well as in the length of anther tails and anther collars. The two species also have different chromosome numbers, 2n = 60 in P. delphiniiphyllus and 2n = 52 in P. delphiniifolius. Evidence from gross morphology, floral micro-morphology, cytology and geographical distribution strongly supports the independent specific status of P. delphiniiphyllus.

Senecio changii (Asteraceae: Senecioneae), a new species from Muli, Sichuan, southwestern China, is described. It is distinguished in Chinese Senecio s.s. by having lyrate-pinnatisect to pinnatisect leaves and a single terminal large discoid capitulum which is somewhat nodding. Evidence from floral micromorphology, karyology and molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the nuclear ITS/ETS sequence data all support its membership within Senecio s.s.

Arnica, the only genus within subtribe Arnicinae under tribe Madieae of the Asteraceae, is a circumboreal genus of 29 species mainly distributed in western North America, with a few in Europe and Asia. Here we report the occurrence of the genus in China for the first time. A population of Arnica angustifolia subsp. angustifolia was discovered in Qinghe County, Xinjiang. Our identification is confirmed by evidence from ITS/ETS sequence data.

Examination of both macro- and micro-morphological characters have shown that Ligularia yui S. W. Liu is conspecific with Senecio spathiphyllus Franch., and is here reduced to a synonym of the latter species.

Based on observations on herbarium specimens and living plants, two new species in Cremanthodium (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) from China, namely C. hongshanense from northwestern Yunnan and C. maoxianense from western Sichuan, are described and illustrated.

We demonstrate that the name Senecio obtusatus (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) has been misapplied. This name should be synonymized under Jacobaea nudicaulis, whereas those specimens previously misidentified as S. obtusatus should be referred to S. boluangensis.

Senecio pseudodensiserratus (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), a new species from Muli, southwestern Sichuan, China, is described and illustrated. It is closely similar to S. densiserratus, a species mainly occurring in northern Sichuan and southeastern Gansu, China, but differs by having nodding and larger capitula.

The rediscovery of Cremanthodium principis (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) in northwestern Yunnan, China is reported. Based on this finding, the type locality of this species is precisely localized, its habitat preference is specified, and some morphological characters are added for it. Moreover, the finding allows us to gain a better understanding of the taxonomic affinities of C. principis with other species in the genus. We also evaluate the conservation status of C. principis.

Ligularia chekiangensis (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) is considered to be conspecific with L. fischeri and is synonymized.

Critical observations on both herbarium specimens (including type material) and living plants demonstrate that Cremanthodium lingulatum and C. pseudo-oblongatum (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) are conspecific. We therefore place the former into the synonymy of the latter. Lectotypification is proposed for C. pseudo-oblongatum.

Ligularia emeiensis (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), which was described in 1991 from Emei Shan, Sichuan, China, has been overlooked and not treated even in the account of the genus Ligularia in the Flora of China published in 2011. It is found to be identical with L. dentata subsp. sutchuenensis and is thus synonymized herein.

Our critical observations of herbarium specimens (including type material) and living plants demonstrate that Cremanthodium citriflorum is identical to C. delavayi and that the holotype sheet of C. farreri is a mixture of C. delavayi and C. farreri . We therefore place C. citriflorum in synonymy with C. delavayi . We recognize C. farreri as an independent species and designate a lectotype for it. In addition, a lectotype is designated for C. delavayi , a species described on the basis of several syntypes.

Senecio pentanthus (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) has been previously placed in synonymy with Synotis triligulata . Our critical examination of herbarium specimens (including type material) and living plants of S. pentanthus demonstrates that it can be easily distinguished from Syn. triligulata by the leaf serration and the number of phyllaries and florets. We therefore reinstate the independent specific status of S. pentanthus and propose a new combination, i.e. Syn. pentantha . Lectotypification is made for Syn. pentantha herein. A key to all the known species in Syn . ser. Microglossae and Syn. vagans , a species placed in Syn . ser. Erectae but actually more closely similar to those in the former series, is provided.

We apply a multidisciplinary approach to settle the dispute over the generic affiliation of the Himalayan species Senecio kumaonensis (based on Cacalia penninervis ). Some floral micromorphological characters of this species, including shape of anther bases, configuration of anther collars, and anther endothecial tissue cell wall thickenings, are confirmed to perfectly match those of Senecio and this has obviously resulted in the placement of the species within that genus. Chromosome counts indicate S. kumaonensis has 2 n = 40, a number common to Senecio and Synotis but not occurring in Parasenecio (the correct generic name for the Asian species previously referred to Cacalia ), which has 2 n = 52, 58, and 60. The presence of six subterminal-centromeric (st) chromosomes in the karyotype of S. kumaonensis , however, lends strong support to the close relationship of this species to Synotis . Our phylogenetic analyses based on ITS/ ETS sequences also place S. kumaonensis in Synotis . In this species the anther tail feature, once deemed to be diagnostic for Synotis (anther bases in Synotis with sterile, tailed auricles vs. those in Senecio without such auricles, obtuse to sagittate), has an exception as evidenced from phylogeny. We therefore transfer S. kumaonensis to Synotis and, as the epithet “ penninervis ” has hitherto never been used in the genus, we propose the new combination Syn. penninervis for this species.

The chromosome number of 2n=40 counted for Senecio tricuspis (Asteraceae–Senecioneae) indicates that the species should not be transferred to the genus Parasenecio but be retained in Senecio.

Cremanthodium atrocapitatum (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) has been previously largely misunderstood, resulting in considerable taxonomic confusion involving several taxa. Based on observations of both herbarium specimens (including type material) and living plants, here we clarify the taxonomic identity of this species. The Xizang (Tibet) plants previously referred to C. atrocapitatum are described as a new species, i.e. C. bomiense . Cremanthodium campanulatum var. brachytrichum is found to be very close to C. atrocapitatum rather than C . campanulatum , and is thus treated as C. atrocapitatum var. brachytrichum .

A new variety, Cremanthodium nobile var. yanyuanense (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), is described and illustrated. It is readily distinguished from the type variety, var. nobile, by the absence of the pappus.

Examination of herbarium specimens (including type material) of Cremanthodium principis and C. gypsophilum has revealed that the two species are morphologically very distinct from each other. We therefore reinstate the independent specific status of C. gypsophilum which has been placed in synonymy with C. principis. The latter species is currently known only from the holotype, and all the other specimens previously identified as C. principis should belong to C. gypsophilum.

Ligularia shifangensis (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) has been treated as L. liatroides var. shifangensis. Observations of both herbarium specimens (including type material) and living plants demonstrate that L. shifangensis is a distinct species. From L. liatroides it can be readily distinguished by the shape of leaves and involucres, the number and pubescence of phyllaries, and a shorter pappus. The affinity of L. shifangensis may lie with L. tsangchanensis, from which it differs mainly in the shape of involucres, the length of peduncles and a shorter pappus.

We clear up a taxonomic and nomenclatural confusion, in which Senecio lancifer (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) has been involved. This name is determined to belong to a Ligularia species, which is identical with L. leesicotal. The correct name of the species is L. lancifera (Drummond) Srivastava & Jeffrey.

Indocypraea (Asteraceae-Heliantheae-Ecliptinae) is a newly-erected monotypic genus, containing only I. montana . Historically, this species has been variously included in Verbesina , Wedelia , and Wollastonia , and its position has never been investigated from a molecular phylogenetic perspective. Based on chloroplast DNA sequences, I revealed that I. montana is only remotely related to these genera , and is sister to Synedrella with strong support. This topology is also significantly favored by the statistical topology tests. The generic status of Indocypraea is further supported by the achenes brownish yellow and densely dotted with white or yellowish white mottles, and a base chromosome number of x = 37, both of which are distinct in the subtribe Ecliptinae. Additionally, I clarify the identity of Wedelia wallichii var. megalantha , and synonymize it with I. montana .

Critical examination of herbarium specimens (including type material) of Cremanthodium ellisii var. roseum (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) has shown that the variety should be transferred to C. brunneopilosum. We therefore propose a new combination, C. brunneopilosum var. roseum.

Our examination of herbarium specimens and observations on living plants demonstrated that Cremanthodium botryocephalum and C. spathulifolium are both conspecific with Ligularia lagotis (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), and thus are synonymized herein.

Syneilesis Maximowicz (1859: 165) (Asteraceae: Senecioneae) is a small genus of seven species distributed mainly in China, Korea, and Japan (Chen & Nordenstam 2011). All its species are perennial herbs with 2 or 3 palmatisect stem leaves and a corymbose or paniculate synflorescence composed of several to many discoid capitula. The genus differs from its putative closest allies, including Miricacalia Kitamura (1936: 214), Parasenecio Smith & Small (1922: 93) and Sinacalia Robinson & Brettell (1977: 274), primarily by having a single cotyledon (Maximowicz 1859; Kitamura 1934) and a base chromosome number of x = 26 (Koyama 1961; Takeshita 1961; Arano 1964).

We clear up the taxonomic and nomenclatural confusion involving Ligularia ghatsukupa , L. leesicotal and L . rumicifolia (Asteraceae, Senecioneae). The independent specific status of Ligularia leesicotal , which has been previously placed in synonymy within L. rumicifolia , is reinstated. Ligularia rumicifolia (Good) S. W. Liu (1985) is the correct author citation, not L. rumicifolia S. W. Liu (1985). Ligularia ghatsukupa is found to be conspecific with L. rumicifolia and is thus synonymized.

A new species, Cremanthodium wumengshanicum, is described and illustrated. It is most readily distinguishable in the genus by having 10−14 bracts subtending the head. Morphological differences between C. wumengshanicum and its putative closest allies and a distributional map of the new species are presented.

A new natural hybrid, Sphagneticola × guangdongensis (Asteraceae, Heliantheae), is described and illustrated. Its chromosome number was revealed to be 2n = 53, lending strong support for its hybridity and parental origin (S. calendulacea with 2n = 50 and S. trilobata with 2n = 56) as previously already confirmed by evidence from morphology and molecular data.