Recent advances in understanding Apiales and a revised classification

Abstract

Despite the long history of recognising
the angiosperm order Apiales as a natural alliance,
the circumscription of the order and the relationships among its constituent
groups have been troublesome. Recent studies, however, have made great progress
in understanding phylogenetic relationships in Apiales. Although much of this recent work has been based
on molecular data, the results are congruent with other sources of data,
including morphology and geography. A unified picture of relationships has now
emerged regarding the delimitation of Apiales, which
includes a core group of four families (Apiaceae, Araliaceae, Myodocarpaceae, Pittosporaceae) to which three small families are also
added (Griseliniaceae, Torricelliaceae
and Pennantiaceae). After a brief review of recent
advances in each of the major groups, a revised classification of the order is
presented, which includes the recognition of the new suborder Apiineae (comprising the four core families) and two new
subfamilies within Apiaceae (Azorelloideae
and Mackinlayoideae).



South African Journal of Botany 2004, 70(3): 371–381