The phylogenetic position of Aulotandra (Zingiberaceae)

The phylogenetic position ofAulotandra (Zingiberaceae).—Nord. J. Bot. 23 : 725–734. Copenhagen. ISSN 0107–055X. Molecular data for 41 representatives of Zingiberaceae are analysed focusing on the phylogenetic position of Aulotandra and its relationship to Siphonochilus. Sequence divergences indicate that accessions of Aulotandra from Madagascar are closest to those of African Siphonochilus in both ITS and trnL‐F data sets, indicating a close relationship. Together these genera form a highly supported monophyletic clade. This African‐Madagascan lineage is sister to the rest of the family with African, Asian and South American members, showing that Aulotandra does not belong in the tribe Alpinieae, where it has been traditionally placed, but in the subfamily Siphonochiloideae with the genus Siphonochilus.