Phylogenetic relationships of Coronidium , Xerochrysum and several neglected Australian species of “ Helichrysum ” (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae)

A molecular phylogeny of selected Australian native Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae) is inferred from nuclear ribosomal ETS and ITS and chloroplast matK ‐ psbA , psbA ‐ trnH and ycf6 ‐ psbM sequences to test the reciprocal monophyly of the genera Coronidium and Xerochrysum and to taxonomically place several species currently treated as part of Helichrysum . Ribosomal and chloroplast phylogenies are topologically incongruent, but the latter are poorly resolved and poorly supported. Ribosomal and total evidence data suggest that the C . scorpioides group makes Coronidium in its current circumscription polyphyletic. Even without this species group, remaining Coronidium is inferred to be paraphyletic to Xerochrysum . Helichrysum macranthum and H . milligani are shown to be part of Xerochrysum and formally transferred to that genus. A lectotype is designated for H . milliganii . Helichrysum leucopsideum is shown to be affiliated with C . adenophorum and C . waddelliae while H . rutidolepis is confirmed to be part of the C . scorpioides group. In contrast, the affiliations of H . calvertianum , H . oligochaetum and H . pumilum cannot currently be resolved with confidence.