Yams reclassified: a recircumscription of Dioscoreaceae and Dioscoreales

Abstract

Abstract Analyses of morphological and molecular characters for Dioscoreales Hook. f. (Chase & al., 1995b; Caddick & al., 2000a; Caddick & al., 2002) have redefined the order, which now comprises three families, Burmanniaceae, Dioscoreaceae, and Nartheciaceae. Since recent analyses of morphological and molecular data sets (Caddick & al., 2002) have indicated well­supported relationships within Dioscoreaceae R. Br., a formal reclassification of the family is presented here. Dioscoreaceae now contain four distinct genera, Dioscorea, Stenomeris, Tacca (previously in Taccaceae), and Trichopus . The Malagasy endemic Avetra sempervirens is close sister to Trichopus zeylanicus , and is here reclassified as a second species of this genus. The dioecious Dioscoreaceae genera, Borderea, Epipetrum, Nanarepenta, Rajania, Tamus , and Testudinaria , are nested within Dioscorea in phylogenetic analyses (Caddick & al., 2002), and are therefore sunk into it.

Keywords

Affiliated Institutions

• University of Reading GB
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew GB
• University of Cape Town ZA

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