A taxonomic revision of three Chinese spurless species of genus L. (Berberidaceae).

Due to some common or similar features (e.g., small leaf, spurless, yellow flower), three Chinese species of the genus (Berberidaceae), , , and , are controversial based on morphological characteristics. In the present study, the descriptions of morphological characteristics for the three species were revised based on extensive studies and observations both in field and in herbaria. In general, has long creeping rhizomes 1-3 mm in diameter, two alternate or opposite trifoliolate leaves, 7-14 flowers, and petals obovate and apex subacute. has short or long-creeping rhizomes 1-3 mm in diameter, one trifoliolate leaf, 2-6 flowers, and petals oblong and apex rounded. has compact rhizomes 4-6 mm in diameter, two alternate or opposite trifoliolate leaves, 15-43 flowers, and petals obovate and apex rounded. Through comparison, we found that despite the close affinity of these three species, they can be distinguished by rhizome differences, stem-leaves, the morphology of flower (e.g., petals), and the number of per inflorenscence.