对箭叶淫羊藿复合体的分类问题进行梳理,并对其产生原因进行分析。通过形态性状的整理和归纳表明,淫羊藿属至少有10个类群与箭叶淫羊藿关系密切,类群间界限模糊不清,形态性状在类群间存在过渡和交集,其分类依据可能只是整体形态变异数集中的某一子集,不足以成立新变种或新种。将贵州淫羊藿处理为箭叶淫羊藿异名,普定淫羊藿降为箭叶淫羊藿光叶变种。毡毛淫羊藿、龙头虎毡毛淫羊藿、剑河淫羊藿、多花淫羊藿、裂叶淫羊藿和靖州淫羊藿作为天平山淫羊藿异名。箭叶淫羊藿复合体的分类最终追溯到箭叶淫羊藿与天平山淫羊藿的关系,两类群最主要的区别在于花序类型,是狭而直圆锥花序(箭叶淫羊藿)还是聚伞状/铺散型圆锥花序(天平山淫羊藿),及由此导致小花数量和大小上的差异。但天平山淫羊藿多个关键分类性状与箭叶淫羊藿叶存在重叠,其分类处理仍需进一步讨论,有待进一步野外居群的系统观测和深入细致研究。缺乏全面的野外调查和形态性状统计,对各类群性状变异幅度、变异式样和分类价值研究不够及对物种概念和划分标准理解的差异是造成其分类学上难以处理的根本原因。

Epimedium sagittatum and its related species are the most controversially defined in Epimedium taxonomy, and are referred as E. sagittatum species complex. So far 11 taxa are included in the complex, but the taxonomical status of most species/varieties is probably open to question. New species based on a single of solely on vegetative characters are of frequent occurrence. Species based on plasticity of phenotype variation should not be regarded as “good species”. Based on the investigation in the herbaria, literature, and fields, we found that the morphological variations between some taxa were continuous. Thus E. sagittatum var. guizhouense and E. pudingense were treated as a synonym of E. sagittatum and E. sagittatum var. glabratum, respectively. Six taxa, namely E. coactum, E. coactum var. longtouhum, E. myrianthum var. jianheense, E. multiflorum, E. lobophyllum, and E. jingzhouense were integrated into E. myrianthum. Therefore, the taxonomic problems of E. sagittatum species complex now are back to the relationship between E. myrianthum and E. sagittatum. In morphology, E. myrianthum closely resembles E. sagittatum with only obvious difference in the form of inflorescence, and might be easily confused. Furthermore, in terms of several key taxonomic characters, there was overlapping question between the two taxa, and further research on taxonomy based on more extensive field investigation were needed. A correct species concept stems from a correct and thorough understanding of the nature of variation pattern of plants and its taxonomical value. In general, lack of scientific field investigation and morphological observation, inadequate study on variation range, variation pattern, taxonomical value, and narrow species concept are the reasons for the taxonomical difficulty to deal with.

国家自然科学基金资助项目(31100146,31360036);江西省青年科学家(井冈之星)培养对象计划(20133BCB23024);江西省教育厅科技项目(GJJ13597);江西省卫生厅项目(2012A147);江西省科技专项项目(20123BBG70199)