Phylogenetic relationships in Australasian Gnaphalieae (Compositae) inferred from ITS sequences

Analyses of ITS sequences of Australasian Gnaphalieae reveal at least six d istinct lineages of Gnaphalieae in New Zealand. Our results suggest that th e New Zealand species of Craspedia form a monophyletic group, which origina ted in Australia. The stoloniferous species of Euchiton are clearly separat ed from the non-stoloniferous species. They are not closely related to any other New Zealand gnaphalioid taxon. The Australian species of Ewartia are a polyphyletic group and are not closely related to the sole New Zealand sp ecies, Ewartia sinclairii. An almost endemic New Zealand clade consists of species currently included in Anaphalioides, Ewartia, Helichrysum, Leucogen es, Rachelia, and Raoulia. It appears that the New Zealand clade diversifie d rapidly soon after the arrival of its ancestor in New Zealand. The relati onships of Ozothamnus leptophyllus are poorly resolved. Pseudognaphalium lu teoalbum emerges with mainly Asian and South American Gnaphalieae.