Molecular phylogenetics of subfamily Ornithogaloideae (Hyacinthaceae) based on nuclear and plastid DNA regions, including a new taxonomic arrangement

Abstract

On the basis of the phylogenetic analyses, 19 monophyletic genera are accepted within Ornithogaloideae: Albuca, Avonsera, Battandiera, Cathissa, Coilonox, Dipcadi, Eliokarmos, Elsiea, Ethesia, Galtonia, Honorius, Loncomelos, Melomphis, Neopatersonia, Nicipe, Ornithogalum, Pseudogaltonia, Stellarioides and Trimelopter. Each of these has a particular syndrome of morphological characters. As a result, 105 new combinations are made and two new names are proposed to accommodate the taxa studied in the new arrangement. A short morphological diagnosis, synonymy, details of distribution and an identification key are presented.

Hyacinthaceae

“…Generic limits in Hyacinthaceae: Ornithogaloideae have been intensively reviewed in recent years using molecular techniques (Stedje 1998;Pfosser & Speta 1999;Manning et al 2004Manning et al , 2009Martínez-Azorín et al 2011). The broad patterns of phylogenetic relationships in the subfamily are now clear but various options exist for the translation of these patterns into a generic taxonomy (Manning et al 2009;Martínez-Azorín et al 2011).…”

“…The broad patterns of phylogenetic relationships in the subfamily are now clear but various options exist for the translation of these patterns into a generic taxonomy (Manning et al 2009;Martínez-Azorín et al 2011). A recent solution, followed here, provides for the expansion of Albuca L. to include Ornithogalum subgen.…”

<I>Nicipe rosulata</I> (Ornithogaloideae, Hyacinthaceae), a New Species from the Little Karoo in South Africa, with a New Combination in the Genus

“…The latest comprehensive study in Ornithogaloideae (Martínez-Azorín et al 2011) demonstrates the existence of 19 monophyletic genera that are characterized by a remarkable syndrome of morphological characters, resulting in genera that are easy to recognize because of their homogeneity in floral and fruit morphology. Among these genera, Nicipe Raf.…”

“…Nicipe was overlooked by most modern authors for nearly two centuries until Martínez-Azorín et al (2011) accepted its autonomy. This genus includes about 45 species mainly occurring in southern Africa, with a single species, N. gracillima (R. E.…”

“…Fr.) Mart.-Azorín, M. B. Crespo & Juan, disjunctly occurring in east Africa (Martínez-Azorín et al 2011). Nicipe is characterized by the leaves usually narrow and long, somewhat leathery, all arising nearly at the same level from the tip of the bulb neck, inflorescence racemose or rarely subcorymbose, bracts aristate, tepals white to yellowish on the adaxial side with a green to brownish longitudinal band mostly visible on the adaxial side, capsules relatively small enclosed by the withered perianth segments, and seeds usually numerous and irregularly compressed (Martínez-Azorín et al 2011).…”