title: A molecular phylogeny and classification of Verbenaceae.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Verbenaceae consist of trees, shrubs, lianas, and herbs distributed primarily in Latin America, where they occur in a wide array of ecosystems. A second center of diversity exists in Africa. Competing morphology-based classifications that rely on different traits conflict in significant ways. A broad phylogenetic study was undertaken to assess those classifications and to examine the historical geography of the family. •
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of seven chloroplast DNA regions for 109 species, representing all genera except one monotypic genus, provide inference into evolutionary relationships in Verbenaceae. •
  
  
  RESULTS
  The phylogeny shows that none of the traditional classifications reflect phylogenetic relationships very well. Eight clades are recognized as tribes (Casselieae, Citharexyleae, Duranteae, Lantaneae, Neospartoneae trib. nov., Petreeae, Priveae, and Verbeneae). Two genera, Dipyrena and Rhaphithamnus, remain unplaced in these larger clades. Petreeae, which consist of Neotropical lianas, are sister to the rest of the family. Lantaneae and Verbeneae together form a derived clade that comprises approximately two-thirds of the species in Verbenaceae. •
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We present a new tribal classification, including one new tribe, Neospartoneae trib. nov., to accommodate three small genera of Argentine species (Diostea, Neosparton, and Lampaya). Phylogenetic inference suggests a South American origin for Verbenaceae, with approximately six colonization events having given rise to the Old World species.
authors: Department of Biology and Burke Museum, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
authors: Hannah E
authors: HE
authors: Marx
authors: Nataly
authors: N
authors: O'Leary
authors: Yao-Wu
authors: YW
authors: Yuan
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Lu-Irving
authors: David C
authors: DC
authors: Tank
authors: María E
authors: ME
authors: Múlgura
authors: Richard G
authors: RG
authors: Olmstead