Influence of small-scale habitat patchiness on the genetic diversity of the Korean endemic species Saussurea chabyoungsanica (Asteraceae)

► Saussurea chabyoungsanica is endemic to Korea and shows very restricted distribution. ► Genetic diversity within population was low and interpopulational differentiation was high. ► Genetic drift was considered the main factor explaining observed genetic variability. ► Clonal diversity varied among populations with showing different ecological characters. ► Flowering rate and canopy coverage were correlated with clonal and genetic diversity.