Phylogenomics reveals patterns of phylogenetic conflict, ancient hybridization, and differential diversification in Populus and Salix
Despite the economic, ecological, and scientific importance of the genera Populus (poplars, cottonwoods, and aspens) and Salix (willows), our understanding of diversification and the history of hybridization during throughout their evolutionary history remain underexplored. Salix subgenera and sections, in particular, have been difficult to classify, with one recent attempt termed a 'spectacular failure' due to a speculated radiation of the subgenera Vetrix and Chamaetia. Here we use targeted sequence capture to understand the evolutionary history of this portion of the Salicaceae plant family.