Pj. Garnockjones et al., UNKNOWN NEW-ZEALAND ANGIOSPERM ASSIGNED TO CUNONIACEAE USING SEQUENCEOF THE CHLOROPLAST RBCL GENE, Plant systematics and evolution, 202(3-4), 1996, pp. 211-218
We report the first example of identification of an unknown flowering
plant to family level using comparison of DNA sequences. The newly-dis
covered New Zealand plant had not been identified by traditional metho
ds, but has been placed in the Gondwanic family Cunoniaceae on the bas
is of the sequence of its chloroplast rbcL gene. It has not flowered,
but its vegetative characters are typical of the family. However, it i
s clearly unusual in several morphological and anatomical features and
appears to match no known genus. We consider that, although it probab
ly represents an unnamed new genus, it could possibly be a mutant dwar
f form of Weinmannia racemosa, so it is not prudent to name it at this
time.