Plantago sinuata Lam. (Plantaginaceae), a misinterpreted unit, typical of moist places. Morphological and karyological evidence

Three subspecies enter to Plantago major L. In recent literature: P. major subsp. major, P. major subsp. intermedia (Gilib.) Lange, P. major subsp. wintert (Wirtgen) W. Ludwig. The first taxon is distinctive of dry and trampled on places; the second one is distinctive of moist places and the latter of coastal saline habitats. The recent discovery, in the mouth area of Lao river (Calabria, Southern Italy), of very big sized plants surely referable to P. major s.l., suggested to examine closely the variability of this species. These plants, identified as Plantago sinuata Lam., show morphological and karyological (2n=12, 36) features, which deserve to distinguish this taxon from the three subspecies acknowledged up to now. Lamarck's specimen of P. sinuata conserved in P-LA is typified. The combination P. major subsp. pleiosperma Pilger is accepted instead of P. major subsp. intermedia (Gilib.) Lange, incorrectly used until now. P. major L. subsp. sinuate (Lam.) Peruzzi et N. G. Passai., stat. nov. is proposed, together with an updated partial analytical key for P. major group.