Studies in the genera Anthericum and Chlorophytum with emphasis on Ethiopian taxa

Abstract

Abstract

85 specimens from the genera Anthericum L. and Chlorophytum Ker Gawl. were analysed, and a phylogeny based on the nuclear ITS1 and chloroplast rps16 and trnL-F sequences was produced. The results are used to discuss the generic delimitation of Anthericum and Chlorophytum which have been proven paraphyletic by Bjorå (2008). The results of this study support her findings. This analysis includes 24 specimens from Ethiopia, which previously have never been subjected to molecular analysis. The placements of these specimens in a phylogenetic setting are discussed, and the proposed transfer of Chlorophytum tetraphyllum to Anthericum is contradicted. During field work specimen Elden 9 was first identified as Chlorophytum comosum, but preliminary molecular analyses showed relationship to C. gallabatense. This initiated further investigation of this specimen. Morphology analyses were preformed using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of seeds and character measurements of herbarium samples including the C. comosum complex and C. gallabatense to see if taxonomic recognition of the specimen Elden 9 is justified. The analyses showed that Elden 9 has at least three independent morphological characters that separate it from C. gallabatense and it will be referred to as Chlorophytum mamallium Elden & Nordal. A SEM analysis of seeds from the genus Anthericum was undertaken, which contradicts the proposal by Kativu & Nordal (1993) that turgid seeds can be used as a character for generic delimitation of the genera Anthericum and Chlorophytum.