Phylogenetic position and relationships of Lobelia glaberrima (Lobeliaceae), a new alpine species from southern South Island (New Zealand)

Abstract

Lobelia glaberrima is a newly described species from mountainous parts of the southern South Island of New Zealand. The morphology of L. glaberrima is most similar to L. macrodon, but it is distinguished from that species by a suite of mainly floral characters. These include L. glaberrima having narrower calyx lobes, a corolla with a shorter tube and smaller lobes, shorter stamens with smaller anthers, a smaller ovary with a shorter style, and a weakly pungent scent. Chloroplast DNA evidence indicates that L. glaberrima is most closely related to L. linnaeoides. However, it differs from that species by shorter peduncles, wider corolla lobes, and an indehiscent globose capsule. The chromosome number of L. glaberrima is 2n = 28, and this also distinguishes it from L. linnaeoides and L. macrodon #OP2n = 14).