Semple, J.C., H. Faheemuddin, M. Sorour, and Y.A. Chong. 2017. A multivariate study of Solidago subsect. Triplinerviae in western North America: The Solidago lepida complex (Asteraceae: Astereae). Phytoneuron 2017-47: 1–43. Published 18 July 2017. ISSN 2153 733X A MULTIVARIATE STUDY OF SOLIDAGO SUBSECT. TRIPLINERVIVAE IN WESTERN NORTH AMERICA: THE SOLIDAGO LEPIDA COMPLEX (ASTERACEAE: ASTEREAE) JOHN C. SEMPLE , HARIS FAHEEMUDDIN , MARIAN K. SOROUR , AND Y. ALEX CHONG Department of Biology University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario Canada N2L 3G1
[email protected] ABSTRACT Solidago subsect. Triplinerviae includes four species native to western North America: S. altissima, S. elongata , S. gigantea, and S. lepida . All of these except S. gigantea have been included at one time or another within S. canadensis . While rather similar among themselves, each species is distinguished by different sets of indument, leaf, and inflorescence traits. A series of multivariate morphometric analyses were performed on 244 specimens to discover additional technical traits useful in separating the species and to elucidate problems with identification in a group of species complicated by multiple ploidy levels and considerable infraspecific variation. Statistical support for recognizing S. gigantea var. shinnersii and S. lepida var. salebrosa was generated in comparisons of the varieties with the typical variety in each species. Solidago subsect. Triplinerviae (Torrey & A. Gray) Nesom (Asteraceae: Astereae) includes 17 species native North and South America (Semple 2017 frequently updated). Semple and Cook (2006) recognized 11 species with infraspecific taxa in several species occurring in Canada and the USA: S. altiplanities Taylor & Taylor, S. altissima L., S. canadensis L., S. elongata Nutt., S.