Finding the silver lining in a crisped margin – A study of the prostrate species in Chlorophytum (Asparagaceae)
2020
Nyrud, Martine Haukland
Background and aims – The species delimitations within the prostrate species with condensed inflorescence in Chlorophytum are ambiguous and the taxonomic rank of several of the species involved are disputed. This study aims to evaluate the circumscription of the taxa and clarify what morphological characters that are diagnostic or most informative to distinguish between the them. Methods – Total genomic DNA was extracted from both herbarium and silica-dried specimens. One nuclear (ITS) and five plastid regions (trnL-F spacer; trnL intron; psbA-trnH spacer; rps12-rpl20 spacer; rps16 intron) were PCR amplified and sequenced. Subsequent phylogenetic analyses were conducted following both a Bayesian and parsimonious approach. Molecular methods were supplemented with morphological studies. Seeds of 11 accessions were photographed by a scanning electron microscope. Key results – Chlorophytum latifolium is reinstated at species level. Two different seeds are recorded for C. pusillum, indicating hidden diversity. An identification key is included to distinguish between the prostrate species in Chlorophytum. The variation within the different monophyletic groups within the prostrate species in Chlorophytum is not yet fully comprehended and require further studies.
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