Is Limonium cavanillesii Erben (Plumbaginaceae) really an extant species?

Abstract

A new triploid apomictic species (Limonium perplexum) is described from a single coastal locality of E Spain. The new species has been previously confused with L cavanillesii Erben, which is only known from few herbarium specimens and it is believed to be extinct. Overall morphology, chromosome number, and the pollen/stigma combination suggest that L perplexum belongs to the L. duriusculum complex. Based on morphological grounds it is suggested that L. cavanillesii Erben could have been originated through a crossing between L perplexum and L dufourii.