One for all: molecular study of Polygala major complex (Polygalaceae) in Southwest Asia

Abstract

Ten species of Polygala closely related to P. major are recorded in Southwest Asia. Most of them were described as local endemics of the Transcaucasia. However, species of the P. major complex are often difficult to identify, having rather subtle and changeable morphological features that could not be treated as essential. The phylogenetic analysis of sequences of the nrITS/ETS and chloroplast trnL–trnF regions (intron and spacer) showed their extreme similarity. Based on the molecular evidence and main diagnostic morphological features, the ten species of the P. major complex are synonymized under P. major. Typifications of eight combinations in Polygala from Western Asia and Europe are also clarified.