Systematics of Small-flowred Taxa of Epimedium L. in China

On the basis of a large amount of specimens,observation of field population and literatures,the taxonomic history of Epimedium is reviewed.The important classified character and evolution of small-flowered taxa of Epimedium are analyzed and a new system of classification for small-flowered taxa of Epimedium is proposed.The results show that 20 species of small-flowered taxa of Epimedium in China can be divided into 4 sections according to the character and evolutionary trend of flowers :1.Sect.Campanulatae,2.Sect.Gibbae,3.Sect.Sacciferae,4.Sect.Calcar.