Evolutionary trend of morphological characters of Astragalus tawilicus, Astragalus dictyolobus and Astragalus victoriae based on phylogeny of cpDNA matK sequences

Evolutionary trend of morphological characters of Astragalus dictyolobus, A. tawilicus (previously classified in section Laxiflori) and A. victoriae (previously classified in section Chrstianophysa) with other species of section Alopecuroidei based on phylogeny of cpDNA matK sequences is presented. 25 taxa belonging to section Alopecuroidei as well as A. bassineri and A. sieversianus belonging to section Astragalus as outgroups were analysed. 12 vegetative and generative characters were selected and different states of them based on phylogeny of cpDNA matK sequences were analyzed. The present analysis revealed that state of pod in calyx, density and shape of inflorescence were not in agreement with results of molecular data and indicated the artificial nature of these characters in previous classification of section Alopecuroidei. Presence of bracteole and shape of ovary were consistent with phylogeny of cpDNA matK sequences. Presence of peduncle in A. dictyolobus and A. tawilicus demonstrated that they are well allied with other species of section Alopecuroidei. Lax inflorescence makes A. victoriae relative to A. dictyolobus and A. tawilicus. Other mentioned characters except lax inflorescence make it relative to section Alopecuroidei.