A Systematic Approach to Subtribe Loliinae (Poaceae: Pooideae) Based on Phylogenetic Evidence

Loliinae (Poaceae, Pooideae) encompass a large group of genera closely related to Festuca, the largest genus in the subtribe, which as traditionally circumscribed has been shown to be highly paraphyletic. In this investigation we combined molecular and morphological data representing 20 genera of Loliinae and closely related subtribes. Combined analysis of nucleotide sequences from the nuclear ITS and chloroplast trnL–F regions and structural characters recovered a consensus topology that shows Loliinae to be monophyletic and possessing two main clades—the fine-leaved Festuca clade that includes Ctenopsis, Micropyrum, Narduroides, Psilurus, Vulpia, and Wangenheimia, and the broad-leaved Festuca clade that includes Lolium and Micropyropsis. The presence of morphologically intermediate, unresolved, or poorly supported taxa (Castellia, Festuca subgen. Subulatae and subgen. Leucopoa p.p., and Festuca sect. Amphigenes p.p.) among the two groups points to a potential evolutionary trend from ancestral broad-leaved taxa to the more recently evolved fine-leaved taxa. Alternate classifications are evaluated for subtribes Loliinae, Cynosurinae, Dactylidinae, and Parapholiinae. We propose to maintain a paraphyletic Festuca as presently circumscribed and not to divide the polyphyletic Vulpia and Festuca infrageneric taxa until more phylogenetic data become available

Supporting Spartina: Interdisciplinary perspective shows Spartina as a distinct solid genus

In 2014 a DNA-based phylogenetic study confirming the paraphyly of the grass subtribe Sporobolinae proposed the creation of a large monophyletic genus Sporobolus, including (among others) species previously included in the genera Spartina, Calamovilfa, and Sporobolus. Spartina species have contributed substantially (and continue contributing) to our knowledge in multiple disciplines, including ecology, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, biogeography, experimental ecology, environmental management, restoration ecology, history, economics, and sociology. There is no rationale so compelling to subsume the name Spartina as a subgenus that could rival the striking, global iconic history and use of the name Spartina for over 200 years. We do not agree with the arguments underlying the proposal to change Spartina to Sporobolus. We understand the importance of taxonomy and of formalized nomenclature and hope that by opening this debate we will encourage positive feedback that will strengthen taxonomic decisions with an interdisciplinary perspective. We consider the strongly distinct, monophyletic clade Spartina should simply and efficiently be treated as the genus Spartina

E-Change: Charting a path towards sustainable e-strategies

16 page(s

Hybrid flora of the British Isles

This book provides detailed accounts of the 909 vascular plant hybrids reliably recorded in the wild in the British Isles

A new natural hybrid in the genus <i>Petasites</i>: <i>P. japonicus</i> × <i>P. pyrenaicus</i> (Asteraceae)

<p>A large clone of a <i>Petasites</i> found growing at Borde Hill, East Sussex in 2014, which had been identified as female <i>P. pyrenaicus</i> (<i>P. fragrans</i>), otherwise unknown in Europe as far as we are aware, has been shown by morphological and molecular studies to be the hybrid female <i>P. japonicus</i> × male <i>P. pyrenaicus</i>. The origin of this hybrid, new to science, is unknown, but it has evidently been growing at Borde Hill for several decades, and has now escaped into the wild beside an adjacent footpath.</p