PHENETICS OF THE TAXA AND SYSTEMATIC POSITION OF THE AFRICAN SWERTIA (GENTIANACEAE)

Abstract

Twenty eight OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units) were studied
and a phenogram is established based on a Coefficient of Association (COA) to reveal the infrageneric divisions of Swertia, an African Genus of Gentianaceae. Two clusters (subgroups of the genus) were recognized at 0.65 level of COA above the base of the phenogram supporting the idea developed on the basis of a traditional intuitive synthetic taxonomic method. Two subgenera and two sections are proposed for the infrageneric taxonomy of Swertia. A relatively closer association of the OTUS S. abyssinica - ABY (1) and S. brown;; - BRO (3) is attributed to their distinctively protruding parietal placentae. Close phylogenetic
affinities between Swertia and Lomatogollium is suggested. The phylogenetic affinities of Swertia to Gefl/iaflella and Gemiafla are discussed.