Phylogenetic patterns and endemism genesis in Cytisus desf. (Leguminosae-Cytiseae) and related genera

A cladistic analysis based on morphological characters was performed on Cytisus and related genera. Terminal taxa were three Mediterranean endemics (C. aeolicus, C. emeriflorus, and C. tribracteolatus), all sections of genus Cytisus, and all other genera of the tribe. The main dichotomy within the tribe, between Cytisus group and Genista group, is corroborated. Both genera, Genista and Cytisus, seem to be paraphyletic. Cytisus s.s. is composed of at least three clades. The cladograms indicate a link of C. emeriflorus with sect. Tubocytisus, and of C. aeolicus with C. villosus. C. tribracteolatus belongs to the same clade as the two species above, but is more loosely related to them. The phyletic relations suggested are compatible with phytogeography. On the basis of this analysis, an evolutionary sketch is outlined and some taxonomic realignments are proposed. © 2002 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.