Phylogenetic relationships in Polygalaceae based on plastid DNA sequences from the trnL‐F region

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Summary: Persson, C.: Phylogenetic relationships in Polygalaceae based on plastid DNA sequences from the trnL‐F region. ‐ Taxon 50: 763–779. 2001. ‐ ISSN 0040‐0262.Seventy‐three plastid DNA sequences from the trnL‐F region were used to infer phylogenetic relationships among Polygalaceae. The analysis indicates that Xanthophyllum is the sister group to the remainder of genera in Polygalaceae. Monophyly of tribes Polygaleae and Carpolobieae is corroborated, whereas monophyly of Moutabeae could not be confirmed. Although intergeneric relationships within Polygaleae are poorly resolved, most traditional genera are corroborated as monophyletic. However, Polygala and Bredemeyera s.l. form two exceptions and are grossly polyphyletic. Acanthocladus and Badiera (incl. Hebecarpa), taxa often assigned to Polygala, are more closely related to Bredemeyera s.str. than to other Polygala. Likewise, Bredemeyera s.l. is broadly polyphyletic since Comesperma and Bredemeyera colletioides (sect. Hualania) have their closest relatives among other genera. Furthermore, Hualania is also polyphyletic since Bredemeyera microphylla appears as the sister to the Hebecarpa‐Badiera clade. Unlike a previous morphological analysis, Monnina is strongly supported as monophyletic by trnL‐F data, but internal relationships are partly unresolved. Species of Polygala sensu Chodat have a tendency to group by geographical distribution rather than after traditional sectional affiliation. Thus, although resolution is poor, it is suspected that several sections of Polygala are not monophyletic and need to be recircumscribed.