Taxonomic re-evaluation of Panicum sections Tuerckheimiana and Valida (Poaceae: Panicoideae) using morphological and molecular data

Abstract

The taxonomic status of Panicum sect. Tuerckheimiana and sect. Valida has remained as "incertae sedis" within Panicum. To resolve the systematic position of both sections within Paniceae s.l., morphological studies and phylogenetic analyses based on chloroplast sequence data (ndhF) were conducted. Our study shows that both sections are included in the subtribe Paspalinae of tribe Paspaleae, where they are related with the genus Anthaenantiopsis. These results support the recent transfer of these species to the recently described genera Aakia and Osvaldoa; they are restricted to forests of Mesoamerica and lowlands of southern South America respectively. These genera are described and compared with other allied genera of subtribe Paspalinae.