Contributions to the taxonomy of the Italian and northern Balkanic taxa in the Centaurea rupestris group (Asteraceae)

The morphology of the Italian-Balkanic populations of the Centaurea rupestris group was studied in order to clarify the taxonomy. The names C. ceratophylla, C. arachnoidea, C. adonidifolia, C. dichroantha, C. rupestris var. inermis are lectotypified. The taxonomic status of C. adonidifolia was re-evaluated and a new combination is suggested: C. arachnoidea subsp. adonidifolia (Rchb.) F. Conti, Moraldo & Ricceri, comb. & stat. nov. The new taxa here described include C. ceratophylla subsp. danielae F. Conti, Moraldo & Ricceri, subsp. nova and C. arachnoidea subsp. montis-ferrati Ricceri, Moraldo & F. Conti, subsp. nova.