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The supraspecific taxonomy and evolution of the fern genusAzolla (Azollaceae)

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Abstract

The systematics of the aquatic fern genusAzolla Lam. is revised at the supraspecific level. Published morphological data are reviewed, and cytological and cladistic analyses of the genus conducted, enabling a discussion of the putative evolutionary trends in the genus, and a revision of the current taxonomy. A phylogenetically more acceptable subgeneric and sectional classification is proposed, viz. subg.Azolla sect.Azolla (comprisingA. filiculoides Lam.,A. rubra R. Br.,A caroliniana auct. nonWilld.,A. microphylla auct. nonKaulf. andA. mexicana Presl), subg.Azolla sect.Rhizosperma (Mey.)Mett. (comprisingA. pinnata R. Br.), and subg.Tetrasporocarpia subg. nov. (comprisingA. nilotica Decne. exMett.).

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  1. Richard M. K. Saunders

    Present address: Department of Botany, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong

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  1. School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, King Henry I Street, PO1 2DY, Portsmouth, U.K.

    Richard M. K. Saunders & Keith Fowler

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Saunders, R.M.K., Fowler, K. The supraspecific taxonomy and evolution of the fern genusAzolla (Azollaceae). Pl Syst Evol 184, 175–193 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00937434

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