Sequence capture data for Cotula (Asteraceae) and relatives
Tribe Anthemideae (Asteraceae) is represented in Australia with only nine species of Cotula and Leptinella. The generic placement of Cotula alpina is considered problematic, as it shares the stoloniferous and scapose habit of Leptinella but lacks corollas in female florets, a trait traditionally considered defining of Cotula. A previous phylogenetic analysis of Leptinella showed the species nested within that genus, but some uncertainty remained and no taxonomic change was made. Here, we combined target capture data from three different sequencing initiatives to reconstruct a phylogeny of Australian native and introduced Anthemideae to resolve this outstanding question. We confirm previous results with a high degree of support and formally transfer Cotula alpina to the genus Leptinella.