Bull. Natl. Mus. Nat. Sci., Ser. B, 34(4), pp. 135–151, December 22, 2008

Taxonomic Studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) in Japan XVIII.
A New Subsection and Four New Species from
Kyushu, Southern Japan
Yuichi Kadota
Department of Botany, National Museum of Nature and Science,
4–1–1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, 305–0005 Japan
E-mail: kadota@kahaku.go.jp

Abstract A new subsection and four new species of Cirsium are described from Kyushu, southern Japan. Subsect. Tsukushicola, subsect. nov. (sect. Onotrophe DC.) is characterized by the presence of basal leaves at anthesis, large-sized, nodding heads and the chromosome number of2n4x68. This new subsection is composed of three new species: C. kirishimense from southern Kyushu is characterized by deeply pinnatilobate leaves, 8–9-seriate involucral phyllaries andlonger outer phyllaries, C. kujuense from central Kyushu is characterized by (9–)10–11-seriate
phyllaries and gynodioecy and C. unzenense from northern Kyushu is characterized by shallowly
pinnatilobate leaves, 8–9-seriate involucral phyllaries and shorter outer phyllaries. Additionally C.
akimotoi is described from Mt. Shiraiwa-yama, Miyazaki Pref., central Kyushu. C. akimotoi belongs to another subsection, subsect. Suffulta, and is distinguished from C. pseudosuffultum Kadota by deeply pinnatilobate, cauline leaf lobes ascending at an acute angle, larger capitula, longer,
spreading (patent) to ascending involucral phyllaries, shorter achenes and linear, vestigial glandular bodies.
Key words : Cirsium akimotoi, Cirsium kirishimense, Cirsium kujuense, Cirsium uzenense,
Kyushu, new subsection, new species, subsect. Tsukushicola.

Introduction
Since 1998 I have studied Cirsium plants from
Kyushu Island, southern Japan, as part of a systematic study of the genus Cirsium (Kadota,
1989–2007; Kadota and Nagase, 1988). Amongthe species of the genus Cirsium suffultum(Maxim.) Matsum. et Koidz. [basionym: Cnicus
suffultus Maxim.] was also most questionablespecies in Kyushu because this species is mostcommon and highly variable in morphological attributes. Most Japanese authors considered that
this species was distributed throughout the
Kyushu Island (e.g., Nakai, 1912; Kitamura,
1934, 1937, 1957, 1981; Hara, 1952; Ohwi,
1953, 1965, 1984; Ohwi (Kitagawa), 1983;
Masamune, 1974; Sugimoto, 1978). It has beenclarified that the photograph appeared as “Cirsium suffultum” in Wild Flowers of Japan, Vol. III(Satake et al., 1981; pl. 200, photos 1–2), a current representative of the Japanese floras, does
not correspond to true C. suffultum but to anotherdistinct taxon (Kadota, unpublished; cf. Watanabe and Imae, 1976). These facts suggest that C.
suffultum has not been thouroughly understood.
Accordingly field and hebarium examinations
were executed in order to clarify the entity of C.
suffultum.
Later the lectotypification of Cirsium suffultum
was done (Kadota, 1993) and a new subsectionof sect. Onotrophe, subsect. Suffulta Kadota, wasestablished (Kadota, 2006). Subsect. Suffultafrom Kyushu Island has been proved to be composed of three species, C. chikushiense Koidz.
(1919) and C. masami-saitonum Kadota as well
as C. suffultum (Kadota, 2006). Subsect. Suffulta
is defined as the Cirsium plants characterized by
the absence of basal (radical) leaves at anthesis,

136

Yuichi Kadota

nodding, large-sized heads and the chromosome
number of 2n4x68.
In October 2003 a field examination was
done in Mt. Wanitsuka-yama, the Minami-Naka(Nichinan) Mountains, Miyazaki Prefecture,
Kyushu, under the guidance of Mr. M. Saito,
Head Curator of Miyazaki Prefectural Museum.
Unknown thistles were found abundantly in thezone of the elevation higher than 1000 m (themontane zone the Fagus crenata zone). Another thistle, C. masami-saitoanum (subsect. Suffulta), commonly grew in the basal zone of themountain. The thistle at issue is similar to C.
masami-saitoanum in having large nodding
heads and the chromosome number of 2n 4x
68 but is distinguished from the latter by thepresence of basal leaves at anthesis. The species
growing in the upper zone of Mt. Wanitsukayama were later found in Mt. Takakuma-yama(Kagoshima Pref.) and the Kirishima Mountains
on the border between Miyazaki and Kagoshima
Prefectures and is proved to belong to a new
species. This new species is here described as C.
kirishimense due to the occurrence of large populations in the Kirishima Mountains. Cirisum
kirishimense is thus distributed in southern partof Kyushu Island and grows in meadows andalong the margin of summer-green woods.
Uncovering the occurrence of C. kirishimensein the temperate zone of southern mountains in
Kyushu, field works were also made both innorthern and central mountains of Kyushu. Two
new entities were additionally found as a consequence of the works. They will be here described
as C. unzenense and C. kujuense, respectively. A
new subsection of sect. Onotrophe will be also
described in this paper. The new subsection consists of the above stated three species; C. kirishimense, C. kujuense and C. unzenense.
In July 2008 a field survey of Astilbe (Saxifragaceae) was conducted in Mt. Shiraiwa-yama,
the Kittachigoshi Mountains, the Kyushu Mountain Range, Miyazaki Pref. At that time I encountered curious thistles in the summit area of themountain (a calcareous area). Unfortunately it
was too early for the thistles to flower. However,

the thistles are clearly characterized by the absence of basal leave before anthesis. The Cirsium
flora of the area surrounding Mt. Shiraiwa-yama
and its neighboring region has been already examined. And it is confirmed that only C. suffultum occurs abundantly in the basal zone of themountain. However, thistles were hardly known
in the montane zone of the mountain. Consequently I re-examined Cirsium in the summit
area of the mountain in October 2008. Then it isturned out that this thistle belongs to an undescribed species within the subsect. Suffulta. This
thistle will be also described as a new species, C.
akimotoi, in this paper.
Taxonomic treatment
Genus Cirsium Mill., Gard. Dict. Abringd. ed. 4,
1 (1754), emend. Scop., Fl. Carn. 355 (1760).
Sect. Onotrophe (Cass.) DC., Prodr. 6: 644(1837).
Genus Onotrophe Cass. in Dict. Sci. Nat. 36: 145(1825).
Ser. Onotrophe (Cass.) Maxim. in Bull. Acad.
Sci. St.-Pétersb. 19: 502 (1874).
Subsect. Tsukushicola Kadota, subsect. nov.
Herba perennis, hermaphroditia vel gynodioecia, radice verticali vel obliquo, foliis basalibus
emaricidis sub snthesin, eis caulinis remotis, capitulis nutaintis, involucris campanulatis vel
cylindricis, foliis subtensis prulibus foliaceis, numero chromosomatibus 2n 4x 68.
TYPE. Cirsium kirishimense Kadota et
Masami Saito (see below).
Hermaphrodite or gynodioecious, perennial
herbs. Root stock vertical to oblique. Basal
leaves persistent at anthesis. Cauline leaves remote. Capitula campanulate to cylindrical, nodding; subtending leaves several, foliaceous.
Chromosome number 2n4x68.
1. Cirsium kirishimense Kadota et Masami
Saito, sp. nov.
[Figs. 1–2]
Herba hermaphrodita perennis herbacea 0.5–
1.2 m alta. Radix crassa verticalis vel obliqua
usque ad 1.5 cm diametro, radicellis incrassatis

Four new species of Cirsium from Kyushu

137

Fig. 1. Habit of Cirsium kirishimense Kadota et Masami Saito (Ebino Plateaus, the Kirishima Mountains,
Ebino-shi, Miyazaki Pref., Kyushu, alt. 1180 m, on 21 October 2007). Left corner inset shows a capitulum(actually nodding).

138

Yuichi Kadota

40 cm longis. Caulis suberectus sulcatus superne
ramosus arachnoideus et brunnea-pubescens,ramis elongatis. Folia basalia coriacea persistentia sub anthesin rosularia, laminis ovatis vel anguste ovatis 26–49 cm longis 14–24 cm latis
utrinque glabra profunde vel leniter pinnatilobatis, breviter petiolatis, lobis 5–9-jugatis anguste ovatis 5–14 cm longis 1.5–6 cm latis divaricatis, spinis validis 1–5 mm longis. Folia caulina
laneolata sessilia amplexicaulia. Flores in Septembris vel Octobris. Capitula 2–3, nutantia, pedunculatis 1–4 cm longis, foliis subtentis angusteellipticis et foliaceis vel lanceolatis 0.5–7 cm
longis, valde spinis usque ad 1 cm longis. Involucra campanulata vel cylindrica eglutinosa 19–23
mm longa 12–18 mm (in vivo) et 2–3 cm (insicco) in diametro parce arachnoidea. Phyllaria
involucrorum 8–9-seriata subcoriacea, spinis ca.
1 mm longis, phyllariis intimis late linearibus ca.
20 mm longis erectis, eis extermis anguste ovatis
ascendentibus vel recurvatis 10–12 mm longis,
vitis linearibus vestigialibus. Corollae dilute violacea 19–20 mm longa, lobis 4–5 mm longis, faucibus 5–6 mm longis, tubis ca. 9 mm longis.
Achenia purpureocinereobrunnea ca. 4.5 mm
longa subtiliter striata garadiatim angustata,
pappi sordidis 10–18 mm longis.
TYPE. JAPAN: KYUSHU; Miyazaki Pref.,Ebino-shi, the Kirishima Mountains, Ebino
Plateaus, 31°5638N 130°5024E, alt. 1180 m,
21 October 2007, Y. Kadota 077101 (TNS
770824–holotype; Fig. 2).
A hermaphrodite, perennial, herbaceous plant,
0.5–1.2 m high. Root stock firm, vertical to
oblique, up to 1.5 cm in diameter, with cord-likeroots; roots up to 40 cm long or longer. Stemsuberect, sulcate, 1–6 times branched in theupper part, arachnoid and covered with brownish
hairs in the upper part; branches elongated at anacute angle. Basal leaves deep green, coriaceous,persistent at anthesis and rosulate; blades ovate tonarrowly ovate in outline, 26–49 cm long, 9–27
cm wide, almost glabrous on both sides, deeply
or sometimes medially pinnatilobate, with petioles ca. 1 cm long, amplexicaul; lobes 5–9-jugate, narrowly ovate, 5–14 cm long, 1.5–6 cm

wide, divaricate, with sharp spines 1–5 mm long.
Cauline leaves several, lanceolate and smaller
than the basal, diminishing in size, almost
glabrous on both sides, sessile, amplexicaul.
Flowers in September to October. Capitula nodding, 2–3 in a loose corymb, pedunculate; peduncles 1–4 cm long, densely arachnoid; subtending
leaves several, narrowly elliptic and foliaceous tolanceolate, 0.5–7 cm long, provided with sharp
spines up to 1 cm long. Involucres campanulate
to cylindrical, eglutinous, 19–23 mm long, 12–18
mm (in vivo) and 2–3 cm (in sicco) in diameter,sparingly arachnoid. Phyllaries 8–9-seriate, subcoriaceous, terminated with sharp spines ca. 1
mm long; innermost phyllaries broadly linear, ca.
20 mm long, erect; outer phyllaries narrowly
ovate with ascending to recurved, 10–12 mm
long, shorter than the inner ones; glandular bodies linear on the inner phyllaries, vestigial. Corollae pale violet, 19–20 mm long; lobes 4–5 mm
long; throats 5–6 mm long; tubes ca. 9 mm long,
longer than the throats. Achenes purplish browngray, ca. 4.5 mm long, ribbed, finely striate, tapered to the base; pappi sordid, 10–18 mm long.
Chromosome number: 2n4x68.
Distribution: Southern Kyushu (the Kirishima Mountains, Mts. Wanitsuka-yama and
Takakuma-yama, Miyazaki and Kagoshima
Prefs.; Fig. 9A, triangle). Endemic to Japan.
Japanese name: Kirishima-azami (nom. nov.).
Additional specimens examined: JAPAN:
KYUSHU; Miyazaki Pref., Miyazaki-gun, Tanocho, Mt. Wanitsuka-yama, alt. 1000 m, 28 Oct.
2003, Y. Kadota 034901–034903 (TNS 727784–
727788); Mt. Wanitsuka-yama, Plot B, 24 Oct.
2004, Y. Kadota 046012–046014 (TNS 744102–
744106); Mt. Wanitsuka-yama, along montane
summer-green woods, 31°4604N 131°1619E,
alt. 780 m, 11 Oct. 2005, Y. Kadota 056211–
056215 (TNS 753503–753505, 753556–753558);
Mt. Wanitsuka-yama, alt. 1000 m, 11 Oct. 2005,
Y. Kadota 056111–056114 (TNS 753559–
753568). Ebino-shi, the Kirishima Mountains,
Ebino Plateaus, alt. 1300 m, Y. Kadota 929111–
929118 (TNS 9026767–9026777); Ebino Plateaus, Plot J, alt. 710 m, 27 Oct. 2004, Y.

Four new species of Cirsium from Kyushu

139

Fig. 2. Type specimen of Cirsium kirishimense Kadota et Masami Saito (JAPAN: KYUSHU; Miyazaki Pref.,Ebino-shi, the Kirishima Mountains, Ebino Plateaus, 31°5638N 130°5024E, alt. 1180 m, 21 October
2007, Y. Kadota 077101, TNS 770824, holotype).

140

Yuichi Kadota

Kadota 046077 (TNS 733989); Ebino Plateaus,
31°5638N 130°5024E, alt. 1180 m, 21 Oct.
2007, Y. Kadota 077102–077108 (TNS 770815–
770823, 770825–770826).
Kagoshima Pref., Aira-gun, Makizono-cho,
the Kirishima Mountains, en route from Mt.
Karakuni-dake to Ônami pond, 31°5530–55N
130°5130–5200E, alt. 1500–1600 m, 4 Sept.
2001, S. Fujii 8749 (TNS 722941–722942);
Awano-cho, Ebino Plateaus, 3 Nov. 1999, K.
Maruno 9911 (TNS 689451); on the border between Miyazaki and Kagoshima Prefs., Mt.
Karakuni-dake, 25 Aug. 1980, J. Haginiwa
11048–11049 (TNS 961048–961049). Kanoyashi, the Takakuma Mountains, Mt. Ontake, 16
Oct. 1999, K. Maruno 9901–9909 (TNS 689452–
689450); Mt. On-take, along a trail, 31°2703N
130°4916E, alt. 820 m, 15 Oct. 2005, Y. Kadota
056504–056506 (TNS 753444–753448).
2.

Cirsium kujuense Kadota, sp. nov.
[Figs. 3–4]
Affinis Cirsio kirishimenso, sed habiti gynodioecio, vitis liquidis linearibus super phyllariis involucrorum intimis et mediis, phyllariis (9–)10–
11-seriatis, acheniis pusillis differt.
TYPE. JAPAN: KYUSHU; Ôita Pref., Yufushi, Yufuin-cho, the Kujû Mountains, Mt. Tsurumi-dake, 33°1632N 131°2603E, alt. 870 m,
23 October 2007, Y. Kadota 077517 (TNS
770801–holotype; Fig. 4).
A gynodioecious, perennial, herbaceous plant,
0.3–1.8 m high. Root stock firm, vertical to
oblique, up to 1.5 cm in diameter, with cord-likeroots; roots up to 25 cm long or longer. Stemsuberect, sulcate, 1–6 times branched in theupper part or sometimes simple, arachnoid andcovered with brownish hairs in the upper part;
branches elongated at an acute angle. Basal
leaves deep green, coriaceous, persistent at anthesis and rosulate; blades ovate to narrowly
ovate in outline, 20–49 cm long, 9–27 cm wide,
almost glabrous on both sides, deeply or sometimes pinnatilobate, with petioles ca. 1 cm long,amplexicaul; lobes 5–10-jugate, narrowly ovate,
5–14 cm long, 1.5–6 cm wide, divaricate, withsharp spines 1–5 mm long. Cauline leaves several, lanceolate and smaller than the basal, diminishing in size, almost glabrous on both sides, sessile, amplexicaul. Flowers in September to October. Capitula nodding, 2–3 in a loose corymb, pedunculate; peduncles 1–4 cm long, densely
arachnoid; subtending leaves several, narrowly
elliptic and foliaceous to lanceolate, 0.5–7 cm
long, provided with sharp spines up to 1cm long.
Involucres campanulate to cylindrical, slightly
glutinous, in hermaphrodite plant, 18–20 mm
long, 12–14 mm (in vivo) and 2–3.5 cm (in sicco)
in diameter, in female plant, 17–19 mm long,
8–12 mm (in vivo) and 1.5–2.5 cm (in sicco) in
diameter, sparingly arachnoid. Phyllaries (9–)10–
11-seriate, subcoriaceous, terminated with sharp
spines ca. 1 mm long; innermost phyllaries
broadly linear, ca. 20 mm long, erect; outer phyllaries narrowly ovate with ascending to recurved,
10–12 mm long, shorter than the inner ones;
glandular bodies linear on the inner phyllaries.
Corollae, in hermaphrodite plant, pale violet,
18–20 mm long; lobes 4–5 mm long; throats 5–6
mm long; tubes 8–10 mm long, clearly longer
than the throats; in female plant, deep pink,
12–13 mm long; lobes 2–3 mm long; throats
4–5 mm long; tubes 5–6 mm long, slightly longer
than the throats. Achenes purplish brown or often
two-tone (i.e., straw-colored at the basal part),
4–4.5 mm long, ribbed, finely striate, tapered tothe base; pappi sordid, in hermaphrodite plant,
13–17 mm long, in female plant, 10–12 mm long.
Chromosome number: 2n4x68.
Distribution: Central Kyushu (the Kujû andSobo Mountains, Ôita and Miyazaki Prefs.; Fig.
9A, disc). Endemic to Japan.
Japanese name: Kujû-azami (nom. nov.).
Additional specimens examined: JAPAN:
KYUSHU; Ôita Pref., Mt. Yufu-dake, 25 Aug.
1916, Z. Tashiro s.n. (TNS 28320); Yufu-shi, Yufuin-cho, the Kujû Mountains, Mt. Tsurumidake, 33°1632N 131°2603E, alt. 870 m, 23
October 2007, Y. Kadota 077511–077516 (TNS
770802–770808). Beppu-shi, Minami-Tateishi,
Mt. Tsurumi-dake, the summit area, 33°17
11.9N 131°2546.4E, alt. 1374 m, 12 Oct.

Four new species of Cirsium from Kyushu

141

Fig. 3. Habit of Cirsium kujuense Kadota (Mt. Tsurumi-dake, the Kujû Mountains, Yufu-shi, Ôita Pref.,Kyushu, alt. 870 m, on 23 October 2007). Left corner inset shows a capitulum (actually nodding).

142

Yuichi Kadota

Fig. 4. Type specimen of Cirsium kujuense Kadota (JAPAN: KYUSHU; Ôita Pref., Yufu-shi, Yufuin-cho, theKujû Mountains, Mt. Tsurumi-dake, 33°1632N 131°2603E, alt. 870 m, 23 October 2007, Y. Kadota
077517, TNS 770801, holotype).

Four new species of Cirsium from Kyushu

2008, Y. Kadota 088052–088059 (TNS 777123–
777133). Taketa-shi, Kujû-cho, Sora, Mt. Daisenzan, 33°0446.6N 131°1758.6E, alt. 1045 m,
10 Oct. 2008, Y. Kadota 088022–088025 (TNS
777105-777109).
Miyazaki Pref., Nishi-Usuki-gun, Takachihocho, Mt. Sobo-san, Kumini-tôge Pass, alt. 1500m, 25 Aug. 2007, M. Saito 15 (TNS 768381).
Cirsium kujuense is distinguished from C.
kirishimense by having gynodioecious habit,
clear (but eglutinous) glandular bodies on the
inner and middle involucral phyllaries, (9–)10–
11-seriate phyllaries and smaller achenes.
Cirsium kujuense usually grows in grasslandsof volcanic areas. Currently these grasslands
have tended to be woodlands due to natural succession (cf., recent, fewer artificial burning of
bushes and forests). The Cirsium plants will becovered by large grasses (e.g., Miscanthus sinensis) and bushes. They have therefore come tolose basal leaves in their habitats.
3. Cirsium unzenense Kadota et Masami
Saito, sp. nov.
[Figs. 5–6]
Differt ab Cirsio kirishimenso, laminis foliorum basalibus non profunde pinnatilobatis, pyllariis involucrorum intemis brevis, acheniis pusillis; ab C. kujuenso, phyllariis involucrorum 8–9seriatis, vitiis vestigialibus, habiti hermaphrodito.
TYPE. JAPAN: KYUSHU; Nagasaki Pref.,Unzen-shi, Obama-cho, Unzen, the Unzen
Mountains, Nita-tôge Pass, 32°4501N 130°17
01E, alt. 1050 m, 25 October 2006, Y. Kadota
068121 (TNS 761340–holotype; Fig. 6).
A hermaphrodite, perennial, herbaceous plant,
0.3–1.5 m high. Root stock firm, vertical to
oblique, up to 1.5 cm in diameter, with cord-likeroots. Stem suberect, sulcate, 2–6 times branchedin the upper part, arachnoid and covered withbrownish hairs in the upper part; branches elongated at an acute angle. Basal leaves greyish
green, coriaceous, persistent at anthesis and rosulate; blades ovate to narrowly ovate in outline,
27–60 cm long, 10–24 cm wide, almost glabrouson both sides, deeply or sometimes pinnatilobate,with petioles ca. 1 cm long, amplexicaul; lobes

143

6–8-jugate, narrowly ovate, 5–14 cm long, 1.5–6
cm wide, divaricate, with sharp spines 1–5 mm
long. Cauline leaves several, lanceolate andsmaller than the basal, diminishing in size, almost glabrous on both sides, sessile, amplexicaul. Flowers in September to October. Capitulanodding, 2–3 in a loose corymb, pedunculate; peduncles 1–4 cm long, densely arachnoid; subtending leaves several, narrowly elliptic and foliaceous to lanceolate, 0.5–7 cm long, provided
with sharp spines up to 1cm long. Involucres
campanulate to cylindrical, eglutinous, 19–23
mm long, 12–18 mm (in vivo) and 2–3 cm (insicco) in diameter, sparingly arachnoid. Phyllaries 8–9-seriate, subcoriaceous, terminated withsharp spines ca. 1 mm long; innermost phyllaries
broadly linear, ca. 20 mm long, erect; outer phyllaries narrowly ovate with ascending to recurved
tips, 10–12 mm long, shorter than the inner ones;
glandular bodies linear on the inner phyllaries,
vestigial. Corollae pale violet, 19–22 mm long;
lobes 4–5 mm long; throats 6–7 mm long; tubes
8–11 mm long, longer than the throats. Achenes
dark purplish brown, ca. 4 mm long, ribbed, finely striate, tapered to the base; pappi sordid,
14–17 mm long.
Chromosome number: 2n 4x 68.
Distribution: Northern Kyushu (the Taradake and Unzen Mountains, Nagasaki Pref.; Fig.
9A, star). Endemic to Japan.
Japanese name: Unzen-azami (nom. nov.).
Additional specimens examined: JAPAN:
KYUSHU; Nagasaki Pref., Unzen-shi, Obamacho, Unzen, the Unzen Mountains, Mt. Onsendake, 23 Sept. 1906, Z. Tashiro s.n. (TNS30821); Unzen-shi, Obama-cho, Unzen, theUnzen Mountains, Mt. Myôken-dake, alt. 1200m, 3 Nov. 2004, M. Iwamura 16559 (TNS
744162); Unzen-shi, Obama-cho, Unzen, theUnzen Mountains, Nita-tôge Pass, 32°4501N
130°1701E, alt. 1050 m, 25 Oct. 2006, Y.
Kadota 068122–068130 (TNS 761341–761349);
Unzen-shi, Obama-cho, Unzen, the Unzen
Mountains, at the tunnel on the Route 389,
32°4544N 130°1632E, alt. 940 m, 25 Oct.
2006, Y. Kadota 068111–068115 (TNS 761334–

Fig. 5. Habit of Cirsium unzenense Kadota et Masami Saito (Nita-tôge Pass, the Unzen Mountains, Unzen-shi, Nagasaki Pref., Kyushu, alt. 1050 m, on 25 October2006). Left corner inset shows a capitulum (actually nodding).

144
Yuichi Kadota

Four new species of Cirsium from Kyushu

145

Fig. 6. Type specimen of Cirsium unzenense Kadota et Masami Saito (JAPAN: KYUSHU; Nagasaki Pref.,Unzen-shi, Obama-cho, Unzen, the Unzen Mountains, Nita-tôge Pass, 32°4501N 130°1701E, alt. 1050 m,
25 October 2006, Y. Kadota 068121, TNS 761340, holotype).

146

Yuichi Kadota

761339). Isahaya-shi, Shirakimine-machi, theTara-dake Mountains, Mt. Gokawara-dake, 32°
5643N 130°0434E, alt. 745 m, 24 Oct. 2006,
Y. Kadota 068101–068106 (TNS 761327–
761333).
Cirsium unzenense is distiguished from C.
kirishimense by having more shallowly divided
leaf blades, shorter, outer involucral phyllaries
and smaller achenes, from C. kujuense by 8–9seriate involucral phyllaries, vestigial glandular
bodies and hermaphrodite habit.
Key to the species of subsect. Tsukushicola
1A Plant gynodioecious; involucral phyllaries(9–)10–11-serı̌ate; glandular bodies clear on
the inner and middle involucral phyllarie;
plants of central Kyushu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cirsium kujuense
1B Plant hermaphrodite; involucral phyllaries
8–9-seriate; glandular bodies vestigial, unclear
2A Outer involucral phyllaries longer thanhalf of the inner ones; leaf blades deeply
pinnatilobate; achense longer than 4.5mm; plants of southern Kyushu. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cirsium kirishimense
2B Outer involucral phyllaries shorter thanhalf of the inner ones; leaf blades mediallypinnatilobate; achense shorter than 4 mm;
plants of northern Kyushu . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cirsium unzenense
Subsect. Suffulta Kadota in Bull. Natn. Sci.
Mus., Tokyo, Ser. B, 32(2): 86 (2006).
Subsect. Nipponocirsium Kitam. in Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 3: 4 (1934); in Mem. Coll. Sci.
Kyoto Imper. Univ. ser. B, 13: 106 [Compos. Jap.
1: 106] (1937), p. p.
TYPE. Cirsium suffultum (Maxim.) Matsum. et Koidz.
4. Cirsium akimotoi Kadota et Masami Saito,
sp. nov.
[Figs. 7–8]
Differt ab Cirsio suffulto, phyllariis involucrorum (8–)9–10-seriatis, flosculis hermaphroditis;ab C. pseudosuffulto, foliis caulinorum ovatis vel
late ovatis profunde pinnatilobatis, lobiis foliorum acuangularis, capitulis magnioribus, phyllariis exterinis et mediis involucrorum longioribus, patentibus vel ascendentibus, vittis vestigialibus non nisi super phyllariis involucrorum
intimis.
TYPE. JAPAN: KYUSHU; Miyazaki Pref.,Nishi-Usuki-gun, Gokase-cho, Kuraoka, theKyushu Mountain Range, Mt. Shiraiwa-yama,
the summit area, 32°3357.0N 130°0635.9E,
alt. 1581 m, 9 October 2008, Y. Kadota 088010(TNS 776509–holotype; Fig. 8).
A hermaphrodite, perennial, herbaceous plant,
0.7–1.8 m tall. Rootstock firm, vertical, 1–1.5 cm
in diameter, with cord-like roots; roots up to 80
cm or longer. Stem suberect, 2–4 times branchedfrom the upper part, leafy, striate, arachnoid anddensely covered with short brownish hairs above
the middle part. Basal leaves always withering at
anthesis. Middle cauline leaves deep green on the
adaxial side, usually variegated, subcoriaceousand somewhat fleshy, slightly auriculate and subamplexicaul, but not decurrent, short petiolate or
sessile; blades ovate to broadly ovate in outline,
32–40 cm long, 18–27 cm broad, glabrous on the
adaxial side and pubescent with long brownish
hairs along midribs on the abaxial side, deeply
pinnatilobate, 7–10-jugate; lobes narrowly ovate,
5–10 cm long, 1.5–3 cm broad, sharpe-angled,with strong spines 3–5 mm long; petioles, if present, 1–1.5 cm long. Upper cauline leaves medially pinnatilobate, sessile, auriculate and amplexicaul, but not decurrent. Flowers in September to
October. Capitula 2–4 in a loose raceme, nodding, with peduncles 3.5–16 cm long, 1–2 mm indiameter at apex; subtending leaves ca. 5, narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate, 0.5–10 cm long,with sharp spines 3–6 mm long. Involucres campanulate to broadly cylindrical, 20–25 mm long,(8–)12–15 mm (in vivo) and 2–3 cm (in sicco) in
diameter, sparingly arachnoid. Phyllaries 8–
10-seriate, ascending to gently recurved; glandular bodies vestigial only on the inner ones, linear,
eglutinous; outer phyllaries narrowly ovate withlong acuminate tips, 20–23 mm long, slightlyFour new species of Cirsium from Kyushu

147

Fig. 7. Habit of Cirsium akimotoi Kadota et Masami Saito (Mt. Shiraiwa-yama, Gokase-cho, Nishi-Usuki-gun,Miyazaki Pref., alt. 1581 m, on 9 October 2008). Left corner inset shows a capitulum.

148

Yuichi Kadota

Fig. 8. Type specimen of Cirsium akimotoi Kadota et Masami Saito (JAPAN: KYUSHU; Miyazaki Pref., NishiUsuki-gun, Gokase-cho, Kuraoka, Mt. Shiraiwa-yama, the summit area, 32°3357.0N 130°0635.9E, alt.
1581 m, 9 October 2008, Y. Kadota 088010, TNS 776509, holotype).

Four new species of Cirsium from Kyushu

149

Fig. 9. Distribution of Cirsium species in Kyushu. A. Sect. Onotrophe subsect. Tsukushicoka. Triangle. C.
kirishimense Kadota et Masami Saito. Disc. C. kujuense Kadota. Star. C. unzenense Kadota et Masami Saito.
B. C. akimotoi Kadota et Masami Saito (sect. Onotrophe subsect. Suffulta).

shorter than the inner ones, herbaceous, terminated with sharp spines ca. 3 mm long. Corollae
pale violet, 19–22 mm long; lobes 4–5 mm long;
throats 6–7 mm long; tubes 9–11 mm long,
longer than the throats. Achenes pale purplish
gray, 3.5–4 mm long, ribbed and slightly striate;pappus sordid, (14–)18–22 mm long.
Chromosome number: 2n4x68.
Japanese name: Shiraiwa-azami (nom. nov.).
Distribution: Kyushu (Mt. Shiraiwa-yama, theKyushu Mountain Range, Miyazaki Pref.; Fig. 9,B). Endemic to Japan.
Additional specimens examined: JAPAN:
KYUSHU; Miyazaki Pref., Nishi-Usuki-gun,Gokase-cho, Mt. Shiraiwa-yama, 32°3357.0N
130°0635.9E, alt. 1851 m, 9 Oct. 2008, Y.
Kadota 088001–088009, 088011–088012 (TNS
776491–776508, 776510–776514).

The specific epithet is dedicated to Mr. Osamu
Akimoto who has devoted himself to the protection of plant and wildlife in Mt. Shiraiwa-yama,
Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu.
Cirsium akimotoi is distinguished from C. suffultum by (8–)9–10-seriate involucral phyllaries
and hermaphrodite florets; from C. pseudosuffultum Kadota by having ovate to broadly ovate,
deeply pinnatilobate cauline, leaf lobes ascending at an acute angle, larger capitula, longer,
spreading (patent) to ascending involucral phyllaries, shorter achenes and linear, vestigial glandular bodies only on the involucral phyllaries.
Cirsium akimotoi grows under scattered Fagus
crenata woods and in herbages among limestones exclusively in the summit area of Mt. Shiraiwa-yama.

150

Yuichi Kadota

Acknowledgements
I wish to give my sincere thanks to Prof. Dr. T.
Nishikawa for his counting the chromosome
numbers of Cirsium akimotoi, C. kirishimense,
C. kujuense and C. uzenense; to Messrs. M. Saito
and T. Minamitani for their collaboration anduseful information about Cirsium works throughout Kyushu; to Prof. Emeritus M. Arakane,
Messrs. H. Ason, A. Kamiyoshi, S. Mashiba, Y.
Nogami, K. Setoya, and Ms. T. Ojiro for theirguidance and useful information on Cirsium ofÔita Pref.; to Mr. O. Akimoto for his guidance tothe localities of C. akimotoi in Mt. Shiraiwayama, Miyazaki Pref.; to Ms. N. Kuroiwa for her
collaboration of Cirsium works in Kyushu; to Mr.
K. Maruno for his information and presents of
Cirsium from Mt. Takakuma-yama, Kagoshima
Pref.; to Mr. M. Iwamura for his guidance to the
localities of Cirsium plants in Saga and Nagasaki
Prefs.
ReferencesHara, H. 1952. Genus Cirsium. Enumeratio Spermatophytarum Japonicarum. Pars Secunda. pp. 167–187. Iwanami Shoten, Tokyo.
Kadota, Y. 1989. Genus Cirsium. In: Ono, M., Ohba, H.
and Nishida, M. (eds.), Makino’s New Illustrated Floraof Japan. pp. 799–807. Hokuryukan, Tokyo (in Japanese).
Kadota, Y. 1990. Taxonomy and distribution of Cirsium
brevicaule A. Gray and its related species (Asteraceae).
Memoir of the National Science Museum (23): 51–61.
Kadota, Y. 1991. Taxonomic studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) of Japan I. Alpine species of central Honshu—
the Cirsium fauriei group. Bulletin of the National Science Museum, Series B 17: 123–139.
Kadota, Y. 1993. Lectotypification of six species and a
new species of Japanese Cirsium (Asteraceae). Bulletinof the National Science Museum, Series B 19: 45–57.
Kadota, Y. 1995a. Genus Cirsium (Asteraceae). In: Iwatsuki, K., Yamazaki, T., Boufford, D. E. and Ohba, H.
(eds.), Flora of Japan new English ed., 2nd ed. IIIb:
119–151. Maruzen, Tokyo.
Kadota, Y. 1995b. Taxonomic studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) of Japan II. Three new species and a new varietyof Cirsium nipponicum (Maxim.) Makino from central
Honshu. Bulletin of the National Science Museum, Series B 20: 13–27.
Kadota, Y. 1996. Cirsium abukumense—a new species of

Cirsium (Asteraceae) from the Abukuma Mountains,
northeastern Japan. Memoir of the National Science
Museum (29): 93–98.
Kadota, Y. 1997a. Taxonomic studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) of Japan III. Cirsium occidentalinipponense, sp.
nov. with special reference to the lectotypification of
Cirsium borealinipponense Kitam. Bulletin of the National Science Museum, Series B 23: 115–125.
Kadota, Y. 1997b. Genus Cirsium. In: Shimizu, T. (ed.),Flora of Nagano Prefecture, pp. 1127–1140. Shinano
Mainichi Shinbunsha, Nagano (in Japanese).
Kadota, Y. 1998a. Taxonomic studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) of Japan IV. Notes on Cirsium lucens Kitam.
from southwestern japan. Memoir of the National Science Museum (30): 65–71.
Kadota, Y. 1998b. Taxonomic studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) of Japan V. Cirsium umezawanum, a new species
from Island Rishiri, Hokkaido and a new white-flowered form of Cirsium amplexifolium Kitam. Bulletin of
the National Science Museum, Series B 24: 147–156.
Kadota, Y. 1999. Taxonomic studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) of Japan VI. Two new species, Cirsium hidakamontanum and Cirsium zawoense from northern Japan.
Bulletin of the National Science Museum, Series B 25:
95–105.
Kadota, Y. 2000. Taxonomic studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) in Japan VII. Notes on Cirsium congestissimum
Kitam. and Cirsium tenue Kitam. and the identity of
Cirsium tenue Kitam. var. ishizuchiense Kitam. Memoirof the National Science Museum (32): 127–134.
Kadota, Y. 2002a. Taxonomic studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) in Japan VIII. Cirsium shidokimontanum, a newSpecies from middle Honshu. Bulletin of the National
Science Museum, Series B 28: 99–106.
Kadota, Y. 2002b. Taxonomic studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) in Japan IX. On the entity of Cirsium yatsugatakense Nakai. Memoir of the National Science Museum (38): 110–118.
Kadota, Y. 2003.Taxonomic studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) in Japan X. Species described by Franchet andSavatier. Bulletin of the National Science Museum, Series B 29: 45–64.
Kadota, Y. 2004a. Taxonomic studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) in Japan XI. A new subsection and two new
species belonging to the subsection, from Southern
Kyushu. Bulletin of the National Science Museum, Series B 30: 63–69.
Kadota, Y. 2004b. Taxonomic Studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) in Japan XII. Subsect. Niponensia Subsect. Nov.
and a New Species, C. hachimantaiense, Belonging to
the New Subsection. Bulletin of the National Science
Museum, Series B 30: 117–133.
Kadota, Y. 2004c. Classification of the genus Cirsium(Asteraceae) in Japan. Bulletin of the Fukui BotanicalFour new species of Cirsium from Kyushu
Garden (2): 1–6 (in Japanese).
Kadota, Y. 2005. Taxonomic Studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) in Japan XIII. Three new species from Tohoku
District, northern Japan. Bulletin of the National Science Museum, Series B 31: 35–47.
Kadota, Y. 2006a. Taxonomic studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) in Japan XIV. Notes on Cirsium hachijoense
Nakai. Memoir of the National Science Museum (42):
89–98.
Kadota, Y. 2006b. Taxonomic Studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) in Japan XV. Four new species from westernJapan. Bulletin of the National Science Museum, Series
B 32: 85–101.
Kadota, Y. 2007. Taxonomic Studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) in Japan XVI. A new subsection and four new
species from the Tohoku district, northern Japan. Bulletin of the National Museum of Nature and Science,
Series B 33: 29–45.
Kadota, Y. 2008. Taxonomic Studies of Cirsium (Asteraceae) in Japan XVII. Two species from the Hokkaido
and Honshu. Bulletin of the National Museum of Nature and Science, Series B 34: 31–41.
Kadota, Y. and Nagase, H. 1988. A new species of Cirsium (Asteraceae: Cynareae) from Hida Province, central
Japan. Memoir of the National Science Museum (14):
9–20.
Kitamura, S. 1934. Les Cirses de l'Asie Orientale; luerclassification et luer distribution. Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica 3: 1–14 (in Japanese).
Kitamura, S. 1937. Cirsium. Compositae Japonicae 1.
Memoirs of the College of Science, Kyoto Imperial Uni-

151

versity, Series B, 13: 33–134.
Kitamuta, S. 1957. Cirsium. In: Kitamura, S., Murata, G.
and Hori, M., Coloured Illustrations of Herbaceous
Plants of Japan (Sympetalae) I: 30–40. Hoikusha,
Osaka (in Japanese).
Kitamura, S. 1981. Cirsium. In: Satake, Y., Ohwi, J., Kitamura, S., Watari, S. and Tominari, T., Wild Flowers ofJapan Herbaceous Plants (Including Dwarf Subshrubs)
III: 212–220. Heibonsha Ltd., Tokyo (in Japanese).
Masamune, G. 1974. Genus Cirsium. Color Illustrated
Flora of Japan. 6-II: 309–330. Koyo Shoin, Tokyo (inJapanese).
Nakai, T. 1912. De Cirsio Japonico et Coreano. Botanical
Magazine (Tokyo) 26: 351–383.
Ohwi, J. 1953. Genus Cirsium. Flora of Japan. pp. 1204–
1221. Shibundo, Tokyo (in Japanese).
Ohwi, J. 1965. Genus Cirsium. Flora of Japan, revised
edition. pp. 1368–1386. Shibundo, Tokyo (in Japanese).
Ohwi, J. (Kitagawa, M.) 1983. Genus Cirsium. New Floraof Japan, revised. pp. 1518–1536. Shibundo, Tokyo (inJapanese).
Ohwi, J. 1984. Genus Cirsium. In: Meyer, F. G. and Walker, E. H. (eds.), Flora of Japan (in English). pp. 902–
912. Smithonian Institution, Washington, D. C.
Sugimoto, J. 1978. Genus Cirsium. Keys to Herbaceous
Plants of Japan. I. Dicotyledoneae. Revised and enlarged. pp. 651–667. Inoue Book Company, Tokyo (inJapanese).
Watanaebe, S. and Imae, S. 1976. A new variety of Cirsium lucens. Journal of Japanese Botany 51: 158–160.