Taxonomy and phylogeny of Cousinia (Asteraceae) in Central Asia

The genus Cousinia (Asteraceae) is one of the most diverse and taxonomically difficult genera in arid mountains of Central Asia, where it is represented by approx. 250 species. A new revision of taxonomy of this genus is based on plant morphology (including microcharacters of flowers), phylogeny (nuclear and plastid genes), and phytogeography, with verification of obscure and uncertain records in the field. The focus territory is currently Kyrgyzstan, with further expansion to other countries of Central Asia. A closely related genus, Arctium, is included in the study because of the former misclassification of part of its species in Cousinia.