Morphological and biochemical genetic evidence for hybridization in the genus Centella (Apiaceae), with notes on phylogenetic and taxonomic implications

The main aim of this paper is to explore the occurrence of hybridization in the genus Centella. Morphological as well as genetic characters are investigated to confirm the identity of a putative hybrid between C. triloba and C. macrocarpa. These two independent data sets, one from enzyme electrophoresis and one from morphology, are compared and interpreted by means of cladistic analysis. Centella glauca and C. virgata were included in the analysis and the effect of hybridization on cladistics is demonstrated. Hybridization gives a new perspective on infragenetic relationships within the genus Centella, as it may have obscured discontinuities between previously discrete infragenetic groups.