440105-07 The Claytonia arctica aggregate C. arctica, C. joanneana, C. scammaniana
Geography: Asian (N/C) - amphi-Beringian.
Notes: Yurtsev: This is an interesting aggregate characterized by, e.g., the base of the inflorescence, together with a stout root and lack of stolons. The Taimyr population, similar to Claytonia arctica s. str. in general appearance, differs from the latter in wider, well-developed hyaline sheaths of leaves, pinkish or white petals (not yellow or white with yellow base), rosette leaf blades larger, lanceolate, subacute (not obovate). They were referred by Volkova (1966) to the southern Siberian alpine C. joanneana, which viewpoint I accept.
Murray and Elven: Comparing a good selection of specimens (ALA, O, S) of all proposed taxa and based on field experience with both northeastern Asian and northwestern North American plants, we share Yurtsev's opinion that several species should be accepted for the Arctic in this aggregate. Yurtsev (PAF proposal) recognized three species: the north-central Siberian C. joanneana, the mainly northeastern Asian C. arctica, and a northwestern North American C. porsildii. The material of the last-mentioned was uniformly annotated by Miller as C. scammaniana (followed by Miller and Chambers 2006), a species not considered by Yurtsev. We discuss C. porsildii under C. scammaniana below.
Higher Taxa
- Claytonia [4401,genus]