Abstract
Recent studies have improved the infrageneric classification ofRhododendron, including my own investigations on flavonoids and anthocyanins as chemosystematic markers. From a synoptical comparison of morphological, anatomical and phytochemical characters a new system for the genus is proposed. Phylogenetic character progressions and relationships among subgenera, sections and subsections are discussed and illustrated. Key positions for subg.Candidastrum between chori subgenerumRhododendron andNomazalea, and for subg.Choniastrum between chori subgenerumHymenanthes andNomazalea are suggested.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chamberlain, D. F., 1982: A revision ofRhododendron. 2. Subg.Hymenanthes. — Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh39 (2), 209–486.
Clarke, C. B., 1882: Order 82.Ericaceae. — InHooker, J. D., (Ed.): Flora of British India3, pp. 456–476. — London.
Cowan, J. M., Davidian, H. H., 1947: A review of rhododendrons in their series. 1. TheAnthopogon Alliance. — TheRhododendron Year Book, Roy. Horticult. Soc.2, 55–86.
—, —, 1948: A review of rhododendrons in their series. 2. TheBoothii, Glaucum, Lepidotum Alliance. — TheRhododendron Year Book, Roy. Horticult. Soc.3, 51–111.
Cullen, J., 1980: A revision ofRhododendron. 1. SubgenusRhododendron sectionsRhododendron &Pogonanthum. — Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh39 (1), 1–207.
—, Chamberlain, D. F., 1978: A preliminary synopsis of the genusRhododendron. — Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh36 (1), 105–126.
—, —, 1979: A preliminary synopsis of the genusRhododendron: II. — Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh37 (2), 327–338.
Davidian, H. H., 1963: A review of rhododendrons in their series. 7. TheTriflorum Series. — TheRhododendron andCamellia Year Book, Roy. Horticult. Soc.17, 156–222.
Drude, O., 1981:Ericaceae. — InEngler, A., Prantl, K., (Eds.): Die Natürlichen Pflanzenfamilien 4. Teil, 1. Abt., pp. 15–65. — Leipzig: Engelmann.
Gray, A., 1878: Synoptical Flora of North-America2 (1), pp. 14–50. — New York.
Harborne, J. B., Williams, C. A., 1971: Leaf survey of flavonoids and simple phenols in the genusRhododendron. — Phytochemistry10, 2727–2744.
Hedegaard, J., 1968: Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Morphologie vonRhododendron -Samen —Rhododendron und immergrüne Laubgehölze. — Jahrbuch Deutsch. Rhod. Ges.,1968, 1–179.
Hayes, S. F., Keenan, J., Cowan, J. M., 1951: A survey of the anatomy of theRhododendron leaf in the relation of the taxonomy of the genus. — Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh21 (1), 1–34.
Hutchinson, J., 1946: Evolution and classification ofRhododendron. — TheRhododendron Yearbook, Roy. Horticult. Soc.1, 42–47.
Maximowicz, C. J., 1870: Rhododendreae Asiae Orientalis — Mem. Acad. Impér. Sci. St. Pétersbourg, Ser. 7,16 (9), 1–53.
Philipson, W. R., Philipson, M. N., 1968: Diverse nodal types inRhododendron. — J. Arnold Arbor.49, 193–224.
Philipson, M. N., 1970: Cotyledons and the taxonomy ofRhododendron. — Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh30, 55–77.
—, Philipson, W. R., 1971: The classification ofRhododendron. — TheRhododendron andCamellia Yearbook, Roy. Horticult. Soc.25, 1–9.
—, —, 1975: A revision ofRhododendron sect.Lapponicum. — Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh34, 1–71.
Planchon, J. E., 1853/1854:Rhododendron Subg.Azaleastrum. — Flores des Serres et des Jardins9, 75.
Seithe, A., 1960: Die Haarformen der GattungRhododendron L. und die Möglichkeit ihrer taxonomischen Verwertung. — Bot. Jahrb.79, 297–393.
—, 1962: Die Haarformen der GattungRhododendron L., Nomenklatorischer Nachtrag. Bot. Jahrb.81, 336.
—, 1980:Rhododendron Hairs and Taxonomy. — InLuteyn, J. L., O'Brien, M. E., (Eds.):Contributions toward a classification ofRhododendron, pp. 89–115. — New York: New York Bot. Garden.
Sleumer, H., 1949: Ein System der GattungRhododendron L. — Bot. Jahrb.74, 511–553.
—, 1964: Florae Malesianae Precursores39. Supplementary notes towards the knowledge of theEricaceae in Malaysia 2. — Blumea12 (2), 339–347.
—, 1966: An account ofRhododendron in Malesia. — Flora Malesiana, Ser.I, 6, 469–674.
Small, J. K., 1914:Ericaceae. — North American Flora29 (1), 33–102.
Spethmann, W., 1975: Flavonoide und carotinoide Inhaltsstoffe inRhododendron-Blüten und ihre möglichen Zusammenhänge zur Chemotaxonomie und Farbgebung. —Rhododendron u. Immergrüne Laubgehölze, Jahrb. Deutsch. Rhod. Ges. 1975, 73–99.
—, 1980a: Flavonoids and Carotenoids ofRhododendron flowers and their significance for the classification of the genusRhododendron. — InLuteyn, J. L., O'Brien, M. E., (Eds.): Contributions toward a classification ofRhododendron, pp. 247–276. — New York: New York Bot. Garden.
- 1980b: Infragenerische Gliederung der GattungRhododendron unter Berücksichtigung der flavonoiden und carotinoiden Blüteninhaltsstoffe und der Entstehung der Blütenfarben. — Diss. Universität Hamburg.
Stevens, P. F., 1976: The altitudinal and geographical distributions of flower types inRhododendron sect.Vireya, especially in the Papuasian species, and their significance. — Bot. J. Linn. Soc.72, 1–33.
Stevenson, J. B., 1930: The Species ofRhododendron. — London: TheRhododendron Society.
—, (Ed.), 1947: The Species ofRhododendron. 2nd ed. — London: TheRhododendron Society.
Wilson, E. H., Rehder, A., 1921: A Monograph of Azaleas. — Cambridge: University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Spethmann, W. A new infrageneric classification and phylogenetic trends in the genusRhododendron (Ericaceae). Pl Syst Evol 157, 9–31 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00939178
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00939178