Character variation and a cladistic analysis of the genus Lachenalia Jacq.f. ex Murray (Hyacinthaceae:Massonieae)

Abstract

Morphological variation and a cladistic analysis of the large, endemic Southern African genus Lachenalia Jacq.f. ex Murray (Hyacinthaceae: Massonieae) is presented. Its close taxonomic relationship with the small endemic sympatric genus Polyxena Kunth (which has been included in the morphological and cladistic study) is discussed. The inclusion of Polyxena within Lachenalia is supported. One hundred and twenty species (139 taxa), comprising 115 Lachenalia and five Polyxena species are recognised. A wide range of morphological characters were analysed, including macromorphology, micromorphology, anatomy and palynology. A discussion and comparison of karyological data is also presented. A brief historical background, species diversity maps, figures, tables, appendices and illustrations of anatomical, micromorphological and macromorphological characters, and cladistic data, are presented, as well as discussions of pollination biology and phytogeography. This work is based on species studied in their natural habitats as well as under cultivation, and from representative herbarium specimens examined from BOL, NBG, PRE and SAM.