| Abstract Detail
Integrating Plant Systematics Funk, Vicki A. [1]. A key to the tribes of the Compositae. One of every 10 flowering plant species is in the family Compositae. With ca. 24,000–30,000 species in 1700 genera and a distribution that is global except for Antarctica, it is the most diverse of all plant families. Although clearly monophyletic, there is a great deal of diversity among the members. Some are well-known weeds, but most species have restricted distributions, and members of this family are often important components of ‘at risk’ habitats. The sub-familial classification and ideas about major patterns of evolution and diversification within the family remained largely unchanged from Bentham through Cronquist. Recently obtained data, both morphological and molecular, have allowed us to examine the distribution and evolution of the family and to bring the classification of the family in line with that information. There are now ca. 10 subfamilies and ca. 35 tribes and this makes teaching the family more difficult. A preliminary key to the tribes will be presented and it is hoped that it will be tested in systematic classes during the upcoming academic year.
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1 - National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Department of Botany, MRC-166, P.O. Box 37012, Washington, DC, 20013-7012, USA
Keywords:
Key
Compositae
Asteraceae.
Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: C03
Location: Boulevard C/Hilton
Date: Wednesday, July 11th, 2007
Time: 1:30 PM
Number: C03003
Abstract ID:882 |
