PHYLOGENY OF ACTAEA INCLUDING CIMICIFUGA (RANUNCULACEAE) INFERRED FROM NRDNA ITS SEQUENCE VARIATION

Phylogenetic analysis of the rapidly changing nuclear ribosomal DNA IT S region in all 23 taxa of Cimicifuga and in all five taxa of Actaea w as performed. The phylogenetic affinities of Souliea were investigated . Eranthis and Anemonopsis were shown to be separated from the ingroup by a similar number of steps. A monophyletic clade including all stud ied species of Actaea, Cimicifuga and Souliea is strongly supported an d within it a group consisting of all Actaea species and Cimicifuga ra cemosa is identified. A large but weakly supported clade consisting of only Eurasian species is divided into two subclades; one with taxa po ssessing yellow staminodia, the other with taxa possessing white stami nodia. Three other well supported groups are indicated: one clade cons isting of two North American species with long carpel stipes: C. ameri cana and C. laciniata, another with three North American species with short carpel stipes: C. arizonica, C. elata and C. rubifolia, and a th ird with three eastern Asian species with caducous bracts: C. biternat a, C. japonica and C. purpurea. Cimicifuga is paraphyletic at least wi th respect to Actaea and possibly also with respect to Souliea. (C) 19 98 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.