Capsella rubella in Rhineland with remarks to another early flowering Capsella taxon

Abstract

Two early flowering Capsella taxa occur in the Rhineland. The earliest flowering taxon, which is called Capsella I, is traditionally seen as a part of a widely defined C. bursa-pastoris. Somewhat later flowers C. rubella, which is probably a widely overlooked species in the Rhineland. The taxonomy and character distribution of the genus Capsella are discussed.