Abstract

Unregulated trade of ornamental plants greatly increases the risk of species misidentification and ecological invasion. In Korea, Coreopsis lanceolata, a perennial species with high invasive potential, is widely distributed under the name Coreopsis basalis, which refers to an annual species with comparatively lower ecological risk. To address this issue, we examined national seed import records and conducted chloroplast DNA barcode analyses (rbcL and matK) of seeds sold as C. basalis. Import data revealed that most records were reported only at the genus level (Coreopsis spp.) without species-level verification. Molecular analyses further confirmed that all commercial “Geumgyegook (C. basalis)” seeds were genetically identical to Chinese populations of “Keungeumgyegook (C. lanceolata),” indicating that persistent misidentification stems from institutional shortcomings rather than taxonomic error. To prevent further spread of alien Coreopsis spp. and improve invasive species management in Korea, we propose strengthening species-level verification and implementing DNA barcode-based quarantine for seeds of alien plants designated as ecosystem-disturbing, potentially harmful, or import-alert species and those ranked Level 2 or higher in ecological risk assessments. Additionally, we recommend revising the seed import reporting system in cooperation with the Korea Seed & Variety Service and conducting a nationwide reassessment of coreopsis distribution. Further phylogenetic studies on diverse taxa within this genus are necessary to establish more precise management strategies.