Molecular and morphological evaluation of Meconopsis georgei and M. castanea in southwest China

The taxonomic distinction between Meconopsis georgei G. Taylor and M. castanea H. Ohba, T. Yoshida & H. Sun has been disputed in recent times. Due to its limited distribution area, M. georgei had not been recollected since its publication and given the lack of observation of living plants and specimens, M. castanea was treated as a form of M. georgei. However, After field investigations and careful examination of type specimens, we provide an expanded description of M. georgei and suggest that M. castanea should be restored as an independent species. A molecular phylogenetic analysis also supports this conclusion.