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Phylogenetic relationships in Inuleae subtribe Inulinae (Asteraceae) were investigated. DNA sequence data from three chloroplast regions (ndhF, trnL-F and psbA-trnH) and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region were analysed separately and in combination using parsimony and Bayesian inference. A total of 163 ingroup taxa were included, of which 60 were sampled for all four markers. Conflicts between chloroplast and nuclear data were assessed using partitioned Bremer support (PBS). Rather than averaging PBS over several trees from constrained searches, individual trees were considered by evaluating PBS ranges. Criteria to be used in the detection of a significant conflict between data partitions are proposed.

In an attempt to improve the phylogenetic resolution in clades of the genus Blumea beyond what could be achieved with sequence data from plastid regions (trnL­F, psbA­trnH) and ITS, the 5S­NTS (non­transcribed spacer) was sequenced as it has been reported to show higher levels of variation than the former regions. 5SNTS yields a tree less resolved than ITS and the plastid regions; the latter markers, moreover, provided more resolution at deeper nodes. When combined with ITS and plastid sequences, 5S­NTS adds very little resolution. The results indicate that previously published, morphology­based sectional classifications of the genus are highly unnatural. The three varieties of B. hieraciifolia belong to different clades and should be treated as different species.

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