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Background and Aims The Greater Cape Floristic Region is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots and is considered poor in polyploids. To test this assumption, ploidy variation was investigated in a widespread Cape shrub, Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis (renosterbos, Asteraceae). The aim was to elucidate the cytotype distribution and population composition across the species range, and to assess differences in morphology, environmental niches and genetics. Methods Ploidy level and genome size were determined via flow cytometry and cytotype assignment was confirmed by chromosome counting. Restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) analyses were used to infer genetic relationships. Cytotype climatic and environmental niches were compared using a range of environmental layers and a soil model, while morphological differences were examined using multivariate methods. Key Results The survey of 171 populations and 2370 individuals showed that the species comprises diploid and tetraploid cytotypes, no intermediates and only 16.8 % of mixed populations. Mean 2C values were 1.80–2.06 pg for diploids and 3.48–3.80 pg for tetraploids, with very similar monoploid genome sizes. Intra-cytotype variation showed a significant positive correlation with altitude and longitude in both cytotypes and with latitude in diploids. Although niches of both cytotypes were highly equivalent and similar, their optima and breadth were shifted due to differences mainly in isothermality and available water capacity. Morphometric analyses showed significant differences in the leaves and corolla traits, the number of florets per capitulum, and cypsela dimensions between the two cytotypes. Genetic analyses revealed four groups, three of them including both cytotypes. Conclusions Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis includes two distinct cytotypes that are genetically similar. While tetraploids arise several times independently within different genetic groups, morphological and ecological differences are evident between cytotypes. Our results open up new avenues for questions regarding the importance of ploidy in the megadiverse Cape flora, and exemplify the need for population-based studies focused on ploidy variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variation in breeding systems between species of the same taxonomic group complicates the consistent application of species concepts, and perhaps even the logically consistent circumscription of species. Several genera of arid-zone ephemerals in the Angianthus clade (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae: Gnaphaliinae) contain both outcrossing and non-outcrossing species. The latter are recognised by producing an order of magnitude fewer pollen grains per anther and an often reduced number of corolla lobes, and they are frequently more widespread than are the former. In its current taxonomy, the genus Pogonolepis comprises an otherwise morphologically indistinguishable pair of one outcrossing and one non-outcrossing species. I generated sequence capture data to test the genetic segregation of P. stricta and P. muelleriana and the utility of sequence capture data for species circumscription and diagnostics. Phylogenetic analysis showed the two species to form two specimen clades, supporting the current taxonomy. Contrary to expectations, non-outcrossing P. muelleriana exhibited lower gene concordance, in line with values expected from recombination, as well as higher heterozygosity than its outcrossing sister species. More research on the breeding system and population structure of the two species may be required to explain these results. The genus Pogonolepis comprises an otherwise morphologically indistinguishable pair of one outcrossing and one non-outcrossing species. I generated sequence capture data to test the genetic segregation of P. stricta and P. muelleriana and the utility of sequence capture data for species circumscription and diagnostics. Phylogenetic analysis showed the two species to form two specimen clades, supporting the current taxonomy, but contrary to expectations, non-outcrossing P. muelleriana exhibited lower gene concordance than its outcrossing sister species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laphangium luteoalbum (Asteraceae) is a widely distributed species native to Eurasia; however, it is rare or endangered in some regions of Europe and included into the lists of protected species. In Lithuania, Laphangium luteoalbum was recorded in the southern part of the country, mainly along the banks of the Nemunas River in the 20th century. In contrast, it was found only in the 19th century in the western part of the country. During the research in Curonian Spit National Park (Neringa, western Lithuania), a relatively large species population was found in the transition zone between the dune grassland and wet dune slack habitats. The total population in 2020 consisted of about 500 individuals distributed over an area of about 310 m². We assume that the seeds of this wind-dispersed plant may have been transferred from other regions of Europe by the wind. However, it cannot be excluded that the plants found are descendants of populations previously recorded in the country. The species is most threatened by the loss of wet, open sandy habitats due to eutrophication of water bodies and subsequent changes in bank vegetation. Laphangium luteoalbum was classified as data deficient (DD) in the last assessment according to the IUCN criteria. Still, a reassessment based on the current data indicates that the species should be considered critically endangered (CR) in Lithuania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies within the Neotropical members of the Gnaphaliinae (Gnaphalieae, Asteraceae), especially those utilizing DNA sequences, have served to refine putative generic boundaries and clarify internal classification within the subtribe. In preparation of a monographic treatment built upon DNA investigations, we describe here one new species from Bolivia, M. beckii Quip. & M.O. Dillon, sp. nov., and two from Peru, M. montesinosii Quip. & M.O. Dillon, sp. nov., and M. zapatae Quip. & M.O. Dillon, sp. nov. Further, we resurrect a valid name proposed by Weddell (1954), Merope caespititia Wedd., and provide a new combination, Mniodes caespititia (Wedd.) Quip. & M.O.Dillon, comb. nov. A diagnostic key to Mniodes species from Bolivia and Peru is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The basic structural characteristics of chloroplast genomes of Gnaphalieae were analyzed and compared. • The chloroplast genome size is much reduced for the FLAG clade, but relatively expanded for the others. • Insertion-deletion in intergenic regions are attributed to be the main factor to genome size variances in Gnaphalieae. Chloroplast genomes, as an essential source of phylogenetic information, are increasingly utilized in the evolutionary study of angiosperms. Gnaphalieae is a medium-sized tribe of the sunflower family of Asteraceae, with about 2,100 species in 178 genera distributed in temperate habitats worldwide. There has been considerable progress in our understanding of their phylogenetic evolution using both nuclear and chloroplast sequences, but no focus on chloroplast genomic data. In this study, we performed sequencing, assembly, and annotation of 16 representative chloroplast genomes from all the major lineages of Gnaphalieae. Our results showed that the plastomes exhibited a typical circular tetrad structure with similar genomic structure gene content. But there were differences in genome size, SSRs, and codon usage within the tribe. Phylogenetic analysis revealed Relhania clade is the earliest diverged lineages with the Lasiopogon clade and the Gnaphalium s.s. clade diverged subsequently. The core group includes FLAG clade sister to the HAP and Australasian group. Compared with the outgroup species, chloroplast genome size of the FLAG clade is much reduced whereas those of Australasian, HAP, Gnaphalium s.s., Lasiopogon and Relhania clades are relatively expanded. Insertions and deletions in the intergenic regions associated with repetitive sequence variations are supposed to be the main factor leading to length variations in the chloroplast genomes of Gnaphalieae. The comparative analyses of chloroplast genomes would provide useful implications into understanding the taxonomic and evolutionary history of Gnaphalieae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quasiantennaria R. J. Bayer & M. O. Dillon, a new genus from the central Andes distributed from Peru to Bolivia, is described and illustrated. It is characterized among Andean Gnaphalieae by its dioecious or polygamo-dioecious breeding system, cespitose, perennial herbs, basal rosulate leaves, capitulescences scapose, cymose-corymbose. It most closely resembles Antennaria Gaertn., a typically northern hemispheric genus; however, it differs in its achenial trichomes and relationships suggested by DNA sequence data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the generic boundaries, as suggested by DNA sequence data, have altered concepts of Andean Asteraceae, specifically Belloa J. Rémy, Lucilia Cass., and Mniodes (A.Gray) Benth. (Gnaphalieae, Asteraceae). Over the past 30 years, numerous changes in classification and the resulting transfers have generated confusion. This paper provides a short history of these changes and current information for these genera as they exist in Andean South America. Further, other transfers are provided as suggested by results of sequence analysis data and newly proposed generic concepts: Belloa eriophora (J. Rémy) M. O. Dillon, comb. nov., and Belloa nivea (Phil.) M. O. Dillon, comb. nov. Changes in the diagnosis of Mniodes necessitates the following transfers: Mniodes argentea (Wedd.) M. O. Dillon, comb. nov., M. spathulifolia (Sagást. & M. O. Dillon) M. O. Dillon, comb. nov. and M. turneri (Sagást. & M. O. Dillon) M. O. Dillon, comb. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global flora is thought to contain a large proportion of herbs, and understanding the general spatiotemporal processes that shaped the global distribution of these communities is one of the most difficult issues in biogeography., We explored patterns of world-wide biogeography in a species-rich herbaceous group, the paper daisy tribe Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae), based on the hitherto largest taxon sampling, a total of 835 terminal accessions representing 80% of the genera, and encompassing the global geographic range of the tribe, with nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and external transcribed spacer (ETS) sequences., Biogeographic analyses indicate that Gnaphalieae originated in southern Africa during the Oligocene, followed by repeated migrations into the rest of Africa and the Mediterranean region, with subsequent entries into other continents during various periods starting in the Miocene., Expansions in the late Miocene to Pliocene appear to have been the driving force that shaped the global distribution of the tribe as forests were progressively broken up by the mid-continent aridification and savannas and grasslands expanded into the interior of the major continents. This pattern of recent colonizations may explain the world-wide distribution of many other organisms in open ecosystems and it is highlighted here as an emerging pattern in the evolution of the global flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gnaphaliothamnus nesomii M.O. Dillon & Luebert (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae) is a new species from the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Department Huehuetenango, Guatemala. The generic boundaries within the Gnaphalieae have been controversial and the genus Gnaphaliothamnus has not been universally accepted. New molecular phylogenetic studies support the acceptance of Gnaphaliothamnus as distinct from Chionolaena, which is congruent with cypsela trichome morphology. Two Gnaphalium species are transferred as Pseudognaphalium stolonatum (S.F. Blake) M.O. Dillon and P. paramorum (S.F. Blake) M.O. Dillon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twelve polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers were developed from transcribed sequences generated by RNA-seq. These were then used to assess relationships among selected putative species ofCraspediain Kahurangi National Park, New Zealand, including three putative species in sympatry at Mt Arthur; plants from two putative species from the nearby Mt Mytton; and plants from the Marino Mountains, where at least four putative species have been listed. We confirmed that two of the putative species present on Mt Arthur are also present on Mt Mytton, but identified anotherCraspediathere that was previously not recognised as being distinct. At the Marino Mountains the situation appears more complex. One putative species there is clearly distinct from all other plants sampled. However, the remainder of the Marino Mountains plants could not be assigned to genetic groups consistent with the putative species, nor could we clearly relate them to the putative species from Mt Arthur or Mt Mytton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The role of tectonic uplift in stimulating speciation in South Africa's only alpine zone, the Drakensberg, has not been explicitly examined. Tectonic processes may influence speciation both through the creation of novel habitats and by physically isolating plant populations. We use the Afrotemperate endemic daisy genus Macowania to explore the timing and mode (geographic versus adaptive) of speciation in this region. Between sister species pairs we expect high morphological divergence where speciation has happened in sympatry (adaptive) while with geographic (vicariant) speciation we may expect to find less morphological divergence and a greater degree of allopatry. A dated molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for Macowania elucidates species' relationships and is used to address the potential impact of uplift on diversification. Morphological divergence of a small sample of reproductive and vegetative characters, used as a proxy for adaptive divergence, is measured against species' range distributions to estimate mode of speciation across two subclades in the genus. Results The Macowania crown age is consistent with the hypothesis of post-uplift diversification, and we find evidence for both vicariant and adaptive speciation between the two subclades within Macowania. Both subclades exhibit strong signals of range allopatry, suggesting that geographic isolation was important in speciation. One subclade, associated with dry, rocky environments at high altitudes, shows very little morphological and ecological differentiation but high range allopatry. The other subclade occupies a greater variety of habitats and exhibits far greater morphological differentiation, but contains species with overlapping distribution ranges. Conclusions Species in Macowania are likely to have diversified in response to tectonic uplift, and we invoke uplift and uplift-mediated erosion as the main drivers of speciation. The greater relative morphological divergence in sympatric species of Macowania indicates that speciation in the non-sympatric taxa may not have required obvious adaptive differences, implying that simple geographic isolation was the driving force for speciation ('neutral speciation'). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaphalis is the largest Asian genus in the tribe Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae) and has its greatest species diversity in the eastern Himalayas. The nuclear internal and external transcribed spacers were sequenced for Anaphalis species, with an emphasis on the eastern Himalayan taxa to examine the monophyly and construct the phylogenetic relationships of and within the genus. The results suggest that all species of Anaphalis are nested with Helichrysum, showing a close relationship with a Mediterranean-Asian group of Helichrysum. Although the monophyly of Anaphalis is only weakly supported, two clades within the genus are well recognized, each consisting of two subgroups. The inferred phylogenetic relationships within Anaphalis correspond to the shape of leaf base, rather than the morphology of the capitula and phyllaries that are usually used for species delimitation and classification in the genus. All four subgroups of Anaphalis are common and diversified in the eastern Himalayas with multiple dispersals out of this region. The sole North American species of Anaphalis is best hypothesized to be the result of long-distance dispersal or overland migration via Bering land bridge from Asia. Our analyses suggest that the extant distribution of Anaphalis has most likely resulted one radiation into the eastern Himalayas followed by repeated independent dispersals and/or radiations mostly into eastern Asia but also into the western Himalayas, North America, and southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Three new species of Metalasia from the Western Cape of South Africa are described; Metalasia tristis A.Bengtson & P.O.Karis, a small shrublet from the Groot Winterhoek Mountains, and Metalasia formosa A.Bengtson & P.O.Karis and Metalasia eburnea A.Bengtson & P.O.Karis both found in the Langeberg Mountains. The morphology and relationships of the three new species are discussed, and an updated key to the genus is provided. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A chemosystematic survey was carried out to specify whether leontopodic acid and leontopodic acid B, two unique caffeoyl-D-glucaric acid derivatives, recently identified in the emblematic alpine edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum Cass.) are also found in members of the genus Gnaphalium from the Alps. Gnaphalium is closely related to Leontopodium and both genera are assigned to the Gnaphaliinae subtribe (Asteraceae, Gnaphalieae). In all investigated Gnaphalium species, G. hoppeanum W.D.J.Koch, G. norvergicum Gunnerus, G. supinum L., G. sylvaticum L., and G. uliginosum L., both leontopodic acid and leontopodic acid B were detected. Moreover, a number of related compounds were detected by HPLC/MS and their assumed structures are discussed. The chemosystematic data reported here are of interest to explore new sources for the biologically active compounds leontopodic acid and leontopodic acid B and they also hint to the occurrence of novel caffeoyl-D-glucaric acid derivatives in Gnaphalium not detected in Leontopodium, yet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A phylogenetic analysis of the small genus Pentatrichia, containing three species endemic to South Africa and Namibia, was undertaken using nuclear (ITS and 3′ ETS) and chloroplast (trnT–trnL) DNA sequence data. Generic circumscription was examined via the inclusion of appropriate outgroup taxa (Anisothrix and Athrixia). A fully-resolved phylogenetic hypothesis found all Pentatrichia species and subspecies to be reciprocally monophyletic based on three sampled specimens of each taxon. A well-supported sister relationship between the radiate P. rehmii subsp. avasmontana and non-radiate P. rehmii subsp. rehmii confirmed the results of a previous morphometric study. Pentatrichia was found to be non-monophyletic with the exclusion of Anisothrix kuntzei and A. integra, which were placed as a subclade within Pentatrichia, and sister to the type species P. petrosa. Morphological synapomorphies supporting the inclusion of Anisothrix with Pentatrichia are discussed, as well as the evolution of capitulum structure in the group. Anisothrix is synonymised with Pentatrichia and two new combinations were made. The expanded morphological concept of the genus Pentatrichia is presented with a key to all five species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Metalasia clade, which consists of the genus Metalasia and a number of much smaller satellite genera, is a South African group in the tribe Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae). This study scrutinizes the phylogenetic relationships of the Metalasia clade by means of chloroplast (trnL-trnF, psbA-trnH) and nuclear (external transcribed spacer , internal transcribed spacer) sequence data. The Metalasia clade is confirmed to be a monophyletic group, and the phylogenetic positions of the included genera are determined. The genus Metalasia may be monophyletic if the monotypic Planea is included, but the node has very poor support and further studies are needed. The Metalasia species fall into two well-supported groups, distinguishing the members of Karis's Metalasia densa group from the others. Lachnospermum is shown to be monophyletic and is placed as a possible sister group to Metalasia. Phaenocoma is placed as sister to the branch consisting of Metalasia and Lachnospermum. Calotesta, Hydroidea, and Atrichantha form a clade, with the monotypic Dolichothrix as their sister group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Premise of the study: Evolutionary significance of the Compositae capitulum and variation in its structure is poorly understood, although it may permit flexibility in sexual expression. Optimal sex ratio differs with life-history and reproductive strategy. We explore how the genus Ifloga and related members of southern African Gnaphalieae achieved different sex ratios, and the associations of these ratios with annual and perennial life history. * Methods: Sex allocation was measured using the male to female ratio (M/F), a novel approximator of the pollen to ovule ratio (P/O). Life-history (annuality/perenniality), capitulum structure, capitular sexual system, and M/F were reconstructed on time-proportional phylogenies. Trait associations were examined using phylogenetically independent contrasts (PICs). * Key results: Annual taxa have strongly female-biased capitula, as measured by M/F, and either gynomonoecious or monoecious sexual systems, while perennials have equal or male-biased capitula that are hermaphroditic or monoecious. These results are largely supported by PIC analysis. Different sexual systems afford differing flexibility in sex allocation, with hermaphrodites having the least, and monoecious taxa the greatest, range in M/F. Within Ifloga, the anomalous capitulum evolved in an annual, gynomonoecious ancestor, followed by two independent gains of monoecy. Two subsequent gains of perenniality occurred within a monoecious sublineage. * Conclusions: Different life histories have divergent sex allocation optima and are strongly associated with different sexual systems in gnaphalioid daisies. An anomalous capitulum structure in Ifloga may have facilitated the evolution of monoecy, which in turn may be linked to the evolution of life-history diversity in the genus. Key words: annual; capitulum; Gnaphalieae; gynomonoecy; Ifloga; life-history evolution; monoecy; perennial; sex allocation; sex ratio; sexual system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leontopodium is a genus of approximately 30 species with a conspicuous Asian-European disjunct distribution. In this study samples from the Himalayan/Tibetan centre of diversity of the genus, as well as from Europe, were analysed to infer a phylogeny of the genus using sequences of nuclear ribosomal (ITS and ETS) and plastid (matK and trnL/F) DNA. The Southeast Tibetan monotypic Sinoleontopodium [Leontopodium lingianum (Y.L.Chen) Dickoré, comb. nov.] falls into Leontopodium. Monophyly of Leontopodium, including Sinoleontopodium, is supported. Due to low rates of sequence divergence, intrageneric relationships in general are weakly supported, a pattern frequently observed in plant groups centred in the Tibetan Plateau. Three phylogenetic groups can be identified, however, and these are also supported by morphology. The low levels of nucleotide divergence suggest a young age for the group, which has been influenced by the turbulent geological history of the Tibetan Plateau. Leontopodium is a characteristic Sino- Himalayan element that appears to have found its way into the mountains of Europe in geologically recent times. The two European taxa, Leontopodium alpinum and L. nivale, form a genetically distinct group, which, considering the wide geographic disjunction, shows surprisingly little divergence from its Asian relatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three morphologically distinct forms of Craspedia grow together in a small area of Mt Arthur (New Zealand) where they appear to remain distinct. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was investigated at the site. Although sample sizes were small, the results indicate that these three distinct forms are reproductively isolated from each other. Further, the level of polymorphism within each suggests that they are not composed of clones or highly selfing lineages. Amplified fragment length polymorphism provides a powerful tool for examining gene flow and reproductive isolation in sympatric Craspedia populations. These results also suggest that it may be possible to recognize reproductively isolated forms as species within the New Zealand radiation of Craspedia. However, taxonomic changes are considered premature at this time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand relationships within the Asteroideae, the pollen morphology and exine structure of 10 genera and 15 species of Gnaphaliinae were investigated using light, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy. All taxa have a Gnaphalioid pattern of exine with an evidently rough foot layer. The tectal complex consists of three main layers that differ in morphology and thickness: a tectum, a median columellar layer, and an internal interlaced sub-columellar layer. The apertural system consists of an ectoaperture, a mesoaperture, and an endoaperture, which intersect, respectively, the tectal complex, the foot layer and the upper part of the endexine, and the inner part of the endexine. On the basis of pollen characteristics, especially those of the spines, all the species examined may be gathered into two groups, one including Helichrysum foetidum, H. italicum, Plecostachys serpyllifolia, and Pseudognaphalium luteo-album and the other including the other 11 species of Gnaphaliinae now investigated. In addition, because Gnaphalieae has been proposed as sister group to several tribes and clades of Asteroideae, a comparison was made between exine pattern in the Gnaphalieae and that in its putatively related tribes. On the basis of previous phylogenetic studies and our present pollen data we suggest that either Astereae, Astereae-Anthemideae clade, or Heliantheae s.l.-Anthemideae clade are the best candidates for the sister taxon/sister group of Gnaphalieae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The large daisy tribe Gnaphalieae occurs in extra-tropical habitats worldwide, but is most diverse in southern Africa and in Australia. We explore the age and evolutionary history of the tribe by means of a phylogenetic hypothesis based on Bayesian analysis of plastid and nuclear DNA sequences, maximum likelihood reconstruction of ancestral areas, and relaxed Bayesian dating. Early diversification occurred in southern Africa in the Eocene–Oligocene, resulting in a grade of mostly Cape-centred lineages which subsequently began speciating in the Miocene, consistent with diversification times for many Cape groups. Gnaphalieae from other geographic regions are embedded within a southern African paraphylum, indicating multiple dispersals out of southern Africa since the Oligocene to Miocene which established the tribe in the rest of the world. Colonisation of Australia via direct long-distance trans-oceanic dispersal in the Miocene resulted in the radiation which produced the Australasian gnaphalioid flora. The similarly diverse regional gnaphalioid floras of Australasia and southern Africa thus exhibit very different temporal species accumulation histories. An examination of the timing and direction of trans-Indian Ocean dispersal events in other angiosperms suggests a role for the West Wind Drift in long-distance dispersal eastwards from southern Africa. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Raoulia alliance is remarkable for the occurrence of rare wild hybrids between five of its six genera. In this study, the potential for hybridization beyond the F1 generation between Anaphalioides bellidioides and Ewartia sinclairii was investigated. Three putative hybrids were raised from open-pollinated seeds collected from a site where wild A. bellidioides, E. sinclairii and their intergeneric hybrids occur. Multivariate analysis of morphological data strongly indicated that two of the seed-raised hybrids were backcrosses to A. bellidioides; the paternal parent of the third plant, raised from a seed collected from a wild hybrid, was equivocal. Artificial crosses and evaluation of seed germinability demonstrated that wild A. bellidioides × E. sinclairii are partially fertile and capable of giving rise to viable backcrosses and advanced-generation hybrids. Possible reasons for the apparent rarity of wild hybrids between A. bellidioides and E. sinclairii are discussed briefly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AFLP profiles, nuclear ITS sequences, and chloroplast psbA-trnH intergenic spacer sequences for representative samples of the New Zealand edelweiss species Leucogenes grandiceps, L. leontopodium, L. neglecta, and L. tarahaoa were examined. Analysis of AFLP profiles from a small number of populations strongly groups samples of each species, and in turn samples of diploid (2n = 2x = 28) L. leontopodium and tetraploid (2n = 4x = 56) L. neglecta cluster together, consistent with a derivation of the latter from the former by autopolyploidy. However, octoploid (2n = 8x = 112) L. tarahaoa does not cluster closely with either L. neglecta or L. leontopodium, indicating this species has an independent origin. Analyses of chloroplast DNA sequences show that although the majority of Leucogenes samples share similar chloroplast sequences not sampled from other species of New Zealand Gnaphalieae, a single accession of L. grandiceps and North island populations of L. leontopodium share chloroplast sequences more similar to other species of New Zealand Gnaphalieae. ITS sequence variation is more complex, with sequences sampled from Leucogenes not constituting a monophyletic group, and striking intraspecific variation detected within L. grandiceps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helichrysum lanceolatum is a widespread and variable New Zealand species that has been regarded as a species complex. A survey of genetic variation in Helichrysum lanceolatum using AFLP, nrDNA ITS sequence, and cpDNA psbA--trnH sequences is presented. No evidence to support segregate taxa at any rank was found. Geographic structure in genetic diversity is weak and consistent with a model of increasing genetic isolation with distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic revision of Helichrysum sect. Stoechadina, a section with a Mediterranean distribution, is presented. Taxonomic, nomenclatural, morphological, chromosomal, geographical, and ecological data are provided for each taxon. Eleven taxa are recognized, two lectotypifications are proposed, and a taxonomic key and a sectional description are included. The following new combinations are proposed: Helichrysum italicum subsp. siculum (Jord. & Fourr.) Galbany, L. Sáez & Benedí comb. nov. and Helichrysum italicum subsp. picardii (Boiss. & Reut.) Galbany, L. Sáez & Benedí comb. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Amphiglossa foliosa J.C.Manning & N.A. Helme is a new species endemic to the greater Knersvlakte between Nuwerus and Klawer in Western Cape. It is diagnosed by its sprawling, laxly leafy stems with relatively large, oblanceolate leaves 8–15×(2–) 3–7mm, thinly tomentose bracts, the inner with dark, wine-red apical appendages, and the relatively numerous florets, 9 to 12 per capitulum. It is most likely to be confused with Amphiglossa celans from coastal Namaqualand between Garies and Kotzesrus, which shares the strongly bicoloured involucres but has distinctive, wiry, strongly flexuose branches with divaricately spreading flowering branchlets, linear or narrowly elliptic leaves mostly 3–8×1.5mm, densely tomentose involucres with the outer bracts joined together by matted hairs, and 5 florets per capitulum. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]