Genetic diversity in the New Zealand endemic species Helichrysum lanceolatum (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae)

Abstract

Helichrysum lanceolatum is a widespread and variable New Zealand species that has been regarded as a species complex. A survey of genetic variation in Helichrysum lanceolatum using AFLP, nrDNA ITS sequence, and cpDNA psbA-trnH sequences is presented. No evidence to support segregate taxa at any rank was found. Geographic structure in genetic diversity is weak and consistent with a model of increasing genetic isolation with distance. © 2006 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.