Molecular Evidence Resolving the Systematic Position of Hectorella (Portulacaceae).

The article examines the molecular evidence resolving the systematic position of Hectorella or portulacaceae. According to the article, the taxonomic position of Hectorella caespitosa and Lyallia kergelensis are endemic to New Zealand and to the Kerguelen Archipelago of Antarctica. Hectorella's characteristics include sieve-element plastids similar to those of Portulacaceae, wood anatomy resembling to that of Lewisia and the ability to produce betalain pigments.