Abstract

CILIA-LOPEZ, Virginia Gabriela; REYES-AGUERO, Juan Antonio; AGUIRRE-RIVERA, Juan Rogelio  and  JUAREZ-FLORES, Bertha Irene. Expanding description and taxonomic aspects of Heliopsis longipes (Asteraceae: Heliantheae). Polibotánica [online]. 2013, n.36, pp.01-13. ISSN 1405-2768.

Heliopsis longipes is, economically, the most important species of its genus, because its root has several traditional uses in Mexico. However, there are still unknown aspects of their morphology and biology. The objectives of this study were: a) to expand the botanical description of the species, b) to discuss the differences of H. longipes with some congeners, c) to document their phenology. Heliopsis longipes has an ascending to decumbent habit, ovate-oblong leaves and the stem is relatively long and it is microendemic in Sierra Alvarez and Sierra Gorda. Morphologically, it has more affinities with H. procumbens. The reproduction of H. longipes occurs during the wet season of the year.

Keywords : Asteraceae; chilcuague; botanical description; phenology; Heliopsis longipes.