EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS IN THE PODALYRIEAE AND LIPARIEAE (FABACEAE) BASED ON MORPHOLOGICAL, CYTOLOGICAL, AND CHEMICAL EVIDENCE

Taxonomic relationships amongst the genera of the southern African tri bes Podalyrieae and Liparieae are discussed. Data gained from morpholo gical, cytological and chemical investigations are analyzed cladistica lly to determine relationships. The genus Cadia (tribe Sophoreae) is i ncluded in the investigation to establish whether it should be transfe rred to the Podalyrieae. The results clearly indicate that the Podalyr ieae and Liparieae are monophyletic and that they should be united, bu t that Hypocalyptus and Cadia should be excluded. Within the monophyle tic group, there are two distinct subclades each supported by three ap omorphies. The results also show that there is a strong sister relatio nship between Amphithalea and Coelidium. In the taxonomic treatment th e Liparieae are placed into synonymy under the Podalyrieae and two sub tribes are recognized. A key to the genera in the tribe is given, foll owed by a synopsis of the genera.