However, subantarctic populations (D. obtusifolium subsp. domesticum) differ from D. obtusifoliumsubsp. obtusifolium in the form of the leaf lobes (narrower, commonly falcate and squarrose, with mostly acute to apiculate, rarely rounded apex), orientation of the dorsal lobe (spread at ca 45° in subsp. domesticum, suberect in subsp. obtusifolium), usually closely spinulose ventral leaf bases and perianth mouth cilia (longer teeth in subsp. domesticum, 2-3-celled cilia in subsp. obtusifolium). Moreover, subantarctic populations (subsp. domesticum) commonly produce male and female gametangia on subfloral innovations, whereas in holarctic populations (subsp. obtusifolium) subfloral innovations are mostly sterile or produce only androecia (plants are heteroicous).
On the above mentioned facts and geographic separations, the subantarctic populations are here classified at the subspecific level under D. obtusifolium.