A reassessment of the sections of the genus Cytisus Desf. (Cytiseae, Leguminosae)

Abstract

Recent morphological and molecular research on Cytisus and allied genera has produced a great deal of new data relevant to systematics, which have not yet been incorporated into a consistent classification system of the genus. We have compared and evaluated recently published cladograms and phenograms based on morphological and molecular (nuclear and plastid DNA) characters. The genus Cytisus sensu lato, including Calicotome, Chamaecytisus, Chronanthus, and Lembotropis, appears to be monophyletic. A subdivision of the genus Cytisus in 13 sections is presented; one species, C. tribracteolatus, remains incertae sedis. A new section (C. sect. Dendrocytisus) and two new combinations for taxa in C. sect. Calicotome are proposed.