On the taxonomic position of Tanacetum funkii (Anthemideae, Compositae)

In order to clarify the taxonomic position of the enigmatic SE Spanish endemic Tanacetum funkii Sch. Bip. ex Willk., a phylogenetic analysis based on nrDNA ITS sequence variation of representatives of Anthemideae (Compositae) was carried out together with morphological analyses of the type material. The observation of nearly identical (1 bp difference) sequences of ITS1 and ITS2 in T. funkii and Anthemis cotula L., along with the joint possession of a conical receptacle and subulate receptacular scales, argue for the conspecificity of these two taxa. As a consequence, T. funkii is transferred to the genus Anthemis L. and placed in the synonymy of Anthemis cotula, and a lectotype is designated.