Generic interrelationships of theCardueae (Compositae): A cladistic analysis of morphological data

A cladistic analysis of 45 genera ofCardueae for 75 characters is presented, taking into account characters of bracts, corolla, stamens, styles and cypselas. Forty-six binary characters completeBremer's (1994) work. Some of the characters considered byBremer are criticised. The traditionalCarlininae is a paraphyletic group, the ten genera studied sharing no common derived character. A new classification of theCardueae is proposed and the distribution of the tribe is presented. Several new combinations are proposed. The nomenclature ofCentaurea is discussed and the status of the genusSerratula is analysed.