AN ASSESSMENT OF SUPRAGENERIC PHYLOGENY IN CYPERACEAE USING RBCL DNA-SEQUENCES

The phylogeny of suprageneric groups in Cyperaceae has been examined b y cladistic analysis of rbcL sequence data of 80 species in 40 genera. The results support the family as monophyletic and derived from a jun caceous grade. Oxychloe (Juncaceae) has moderate support as the sister taxon to Cyperaceae. Several monophyletic groups correspond to previo usly recognised tribes, and some similarities are noted between this a nalysis and previous cladistic analyses of primarily morphological dat a. Support is also given for the removal of Hellmuthia from tribe Hypo lytreae, the transfer of Isolepis nodosa to Ficinia, and the inclusion of Oxycaryum and Kyllingiella in tribe Cypereae. A polytomy comprisin g Cyperus, Juncellus, Kyllinga and Pycreus indicates a broader circums cription of Cyperus. The greatest uncertainty lies with the generic an d tribal status of the Scirpeae.