Phylogenetic relationships in the order Ericales SL:: Analyses of molecular data from five genes from the plastid and mitochondrial genomes

Phylogenetic interrelationships in the enlarged order Ericales were investigated by jackknife analysis of a combination of DNA sequences from the plastid genes rbcL. ndhF atpB, and the mitochondrial genes atp1 and matR. Several well-supported groups were identified, but neither a combination of all gene sequences nor any one alone fully resolved the relationships between all major clades in Ericales. All investigated families except Theaceae were found to be monophyletic. Four families. Marcgraviaceae, Balsaminaceae, Pellicieraceae, and Tetrameristaceae form a monophyletic group that is the sister of the remaining families. On the next higher level. Fouquieriaceae and Polemoniaceae form a clade that is sister to the majority of families that form a group with eight supported clades between which the interrelationships are unresolved Theaceae-Ternstroemoideae with Ficalhoa. Sladenia, and Pentaphylacaceae; Theaceae-Theoideae: Ebenaceae and Lissocarpaceae Symplocaceae: Maesaceae, Theophrastaceae, Primulaceae. and Myrsinaceae: Styracaceae and Diapensiaceae Lecythidaceae and Sapotaceae Actinidiaceae, Roridulaceae, Sarraceniaceae, Clethraceae, Cyrillaceae, and Ericaceae.