Phylogeny of Poa (Poaceae) Based on trnT–trnF Sequence Data: Major Clades and Basal Relationships

Abstract

Poa, the largest genus of grasses (Poaceae) with over 500 species, occurs throughout temperate and boreal regions in both hemispheres. A phylogenetic study of Poa based on trnT-trnF chloroplast DNA sequence data is presented focusing on basal relationships, major clades, generic boundaries, and placement of putatively closely related genera. Results support the monophyly of the main lineage of Poa if subgen. Andinae is excluded and Anthochloa, Austrofestuca, Dissanthelium (at least in part), and Eremopoa are included. The main Poa clade and subgen. Andinae resolve within a strongly supported Poinae-Alopecurinae-Miliinae clade (PAM). The subdivision of Poa into five major clades, proposed based on chloroplast restriction site data, is supported by sequence data. The basal-most clade (ArcSyl) comprises Poa subgen. Arctopoa and subgen. Poa sect. Sylvestres, two groups having disparate morphology, but similar cpDNA. The next-diverging clade (BAPO), comprising sects. Bolbophorum, Alpinae, Parodiochloa, and Ochlopoa, is strongly supported and characterized by highly divergent cpDNA. The majority of Poa species and sections form a strongly supported clade comprising major clades SPOSTA. PoM, and HAMBADD. Newly reported in this study is Eremopoa as a distinct lineage positioned between this higher Poa clade and BAPO. A revised infrageneric classification of Poa comprising five subgenera is proposed. Two new subgeneric divisions of Poa are proposed: subgen. Stenopoa for the SPOSTA clade and supersect. Homalopoa for the HAMBADD clade. The monotypic genus Anthochloa is reduced to Poa sect. Anthochloa, and its one species recognized as Poa lepidula.