XVI International Botanical Congess

Melastomataceae have ~3000 spp. in the neotropics, ~300 in Africa and Madagascar ~50 in India, ~630 in SE Asia , and seven in Australia. The most recent classification (Renner 1993) grouped the 150 genera into two subfamilies. One consisted of the SE Asian Pternandra, the other comprised all other genera and was subdivided into eight tribes, based on seeds, fruits, and stamens. Combined rbcL, ndhF, and rpl16 data show, however, that Pternandra is closer to Memecylaceae (6 gen./575 spp.) than it is to melastomes (Cogniaux 1891). Molecular data support the placement of the SE Asian Astronieae (4 gen.) at the base of melastomes, but refute the monophyly of two pantropical tribes that were based on fruit type and habit. The monophyly of the pantropical Melastomeae, hypothesized on the basis of their cochleate seeds, is supported by DNA, as are their close relationships with the American endemics Rhexieae and Microlicieae.