A Multivariate Study of Solidago subsect. Junceae and a New Species in South America (Asteraceae: Astereae)

A new South American species of Solidago L. (Asteraceae, Astereae) from Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia was identified within the subsection Junceae (Rydb.) G. L. Nesom. Using multivariate analyses on a matrix of 50 characteristics for 79 specimens, the distinctiveness of a South American S. missouriensis-like taxon was tested and determined to be statistically different from four morphologically similar North American species: S. gattingeri Chapm. ex A. Gray, S. juncea Aiton, S. missouriensis Nutt., and S. pinetorum Small. Therefore, a new South American species is proposed: S. argentinensis Lopez Laph. & Semple.