BARKLEY, THEODORE M. Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 509 Pecan Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102. - The Asteraceae in the Flora of North Aemrica (FNA): accounting for new knowledge.
The traditional taxonomy of the Asteraceae rests largely on the
seminal works of G. Bentham and O. Hoffman in the late 1800's. Their
notions have served well. Research of the past two decades has shown
that these traditional concepts are in need of revision, particularly
because molecular and phylogenetic studies have led to new concepts
that better reflect evolutionary relationships. Floristic botany has
an obligation to translate the results of modern research into floras
that are used by the consumers of botanical information, and revised
generic notions are being adopted for the FNA Asteraceae. Some generic
delimitations will differ notably from tradition, e.g., in
Aster, Haplopappus, and Senecio. It is hoped that
the generic concepts of the FNA Asteraceae will prove as useful in the
future as were those of Bentham and Hoffman. The FNA treatments of
Asteraceae are scheduled to be published in three volumes, in late
2004.
Key words: Asteraceae, Flora of Northe America, floristics, FNA, Genera of Asteraceae