List of sections in subgenus Rhododendron explained

Traditional to botanical taxonomy, subdivisions of taxonomic ranks further divide subgenera, sections, and subsections into species and subspecies/varieties. Genus Rhododendron consists of eight subgenera based on morphology; this page refers to only those lower divisions in subgenus Rhododendron, commonly known as the scaly or lepidote rhododendrons. Molecular evidence suggests that the subgenus Rhododendron is monophyletic, and the section Vireya is monophyletic as well with section Pogonanthum being nested within section Rhododendron.[1] As evidenced by the following list, many subsections contain only one species, and many contain only one species that is followed by subspecies or varieties. Criteria for division into subsections may be subjective based on morphology. Recent studies have suggested a revision to the name of section Vireya; the section Vireya is referred to as Schistanthe, but contains all the subsections associated with the previous name. In this article, the two can be used interchangeably.[2]

This list does not include known hybrids; because rhododendrons are known to hybridize readily, hybrid species are numerous and are not referenced in this list.

Number of SubsectionsNumber of species
Pogonanthum016
Rhododendron28179
Vireya/Schistanthe7183

See also

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Goetsch, Loretta; Eckert, Andrew J.; Hall, Benjamin D. (July–September 2005). "The molecular systematics of Rhododendron (Ericaceae): a phylogeny based upon RPB2 gene sequences". Systematic Botany. 30 (3): 616–626.
  2. Goetsch, L.A.; Craven, L.A.; Hall, B.D. (2011). "Major speciation accompanied the dispersal of Vireya Rhododendrons (Ericaceae, Rhododendron sect. Schistanthe) through the Malayan archipelago: Evidence from nuclear gene sequences". Taxon. 60 (4): 1015–1028.

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