Phylogenetic Analyses for a New Classification of the Desmodium Group of Leguminosae Tribe Desmodieae 3. The Systematic Position of Desmodium velutinum

Abstract

Desmodium velutinum (Willd.) DC. (Leguminosae/Fabaceae), distributed naturally in Asia and Africa and introduced to tropical America (rare) and Australia, is recognized as the representative of a new genus, Polhillides H. Ohashi & K. Ohashi, based on results from the present phylogenetic molecular analyses along with morphological and palynological evidence. A new combination Polhillides velutina (Willd.) H. Ohashi & K. Ohashi, with subsp. longibracteata (Schindl.) H. Ohashi & K. Ohashi and var. sikkimensis (Schindl.) H. Ohashi & K. Ohashi, is proposed. Desmodium sikkimense Schindl. is lectotypified.