On the origin of European lilies: phylogenetic analysis of Lilium section Liriotypus using sequences of the nuclear ribosomal transcribed spacers

Abstract

The sequences of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region were analysed for 28 representatives of Lilium, one Nomocharis species and three outgroup taxa of Lilieae (Notholirion, Fritillaria and Cardiocrinum). 17 of the 20 members of Lilium sect. Liriotypus were included. A maximum parsimony analysis was carried out for the phylogenetic reconstruction. The results are not completely congruent with sectional delimitations of L. sect. Liriotypus based on morphological characters. They confirm the previous suggestion that L. sect. Liriotypus is monophyletic only if L. bulbiferum is excluded and placed in L. sect. Sinomartagon. The monophyly of the remaining L. sect. Liriotypus receives good support from bootstrap analysis. It can be divided into two groups, one comprising NE Turkish-Caucasian species and another the European species, L. candidum and the two Turkish endemics L. ciliatum and L. akkusianum. The results also show that L. ponticum cannot be included within the so-called L. carniolicum group of lilies.