TEKTRAN

THE NEW PHYLOGENY OF THE AMARYLLIDACEAE.

Author(s):

MEEROW ALAN W
FAY MICHAEL F
CHASE MARK W
GUY CHARLES L
LI Q-B

Interpretive Summary:

The Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) is an important family of valued ornamental flower bulbs including the daffodils (Narcissus), snowdrops & snowbells (Galanthus & Leucojum), hurricane lilies (Lycoris) & amaryllis (Hippeastrum). We review the taxonmomic history of the family & summarize findings based on DNA sequences that contribute important information about the relationships of the genera in the family, as well as the relationship of the Amaryllidaceae to other families of flowering plants. Our data indicate that some previous assumptions of relationship within the family are incorrect. DNA sequences of chloroplast genes indicate that the family is most closely related to the genus Agapanthus & the onion family (Alliaceae), and originated in Africa. The relationships within the family are based along geographical lines. The tribe Amaryllideae, which contains the important ornamental genus Crinum, & which (with the exception of Crinum) is entirely restricted to sub- Saharan Africa, is the oldest lineage in the family. Surprisingly, the American genera of the family form a single lineage of common descent whose closest relatives are the Eurasian genera. DNA sequences for a spacer region of the genes coding for ribosomal RNA resolve two distinct groups within the American genera, an Andean lineage with twice the typical number of chromosomes characteristic of the family, & a primarily extra-Andean group ("hippeastroid": consisting of Hippeastrum & its closest relatives.). This information will be useful to horticulturists interested in developing hybrids between closely related genera, & geneticists looking for useful genes for varietal improvement.

Keywords:

maintain evaluate subtropical tropical germplasm ornamental

Contact:

SUBTROPICAL HORT RESEARCH
13601 OLD CUTLER ROAD
MIAMI
FL 33158
FAX: 305-238-9330
Email: miaam@ars-grin.gov