A new record of a Plantaginaceae alien plant in the Republic of Korea: <i>Chaenorhinum minus</i>

Abstract

<i>Chaenorhinum minus</i> (L.) Lange of the family Plantaginaceae was discovered in Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea. This species is an invasive alien plant that originated in Europe and North Africa and that was introduced into North America and East Asia. The genus <i>Chaenorhinum</i> (DC.) Rchb., to which this species belongs, is most similar to <i>Nuttallanthus</i> D. A. Sutton among related genera of the tribe Antirrhineae distributed in the Republic of Korea. While the two genera share common morphological features in the leaf and flower, <i>Chaenorhinum</i> is distinguished from <i>Nuttallanthus</i> by glandular hairs on the plant; monomorphic, fertile, and erect stems; 9.6–14.1 mm long pedicels; corolla as short as 5.6–7.9 mm; white corolla lower lips; and widely ovoid or oblong seeds. This study presents morphological descriptions and a genus key for the tribe Antirrhineae of the Republic of Korea for the identification of <i>C. minus</i> together with distribution information, voucher specimens, and photographs of this species.