Samolus (known as brookweed, or water pimpernel) is a widely distributed genus of about a dozen species of water-loving herbs and amphibious flowering plants. According to the APG III system of classification, the genus falls within the primrose family, Primulaceae, under the order containing the rhododendroid eudicots, Ericales. It was considered closely related to a clade comprising the Theophrastaceae,[1] and was likewise treated as part of that family (or its own monogeneric family, the Samolaceae). The APG III system does not recognize these families, instead classifying all former Theophrastaceae genera within the family Primulaceae.

Samolus
S. valerandi close-up of flower
S. valerandi
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Primulaceae
Subfamily: Theophrastoideae
Tribe: Samoleae
Rchb.
Genus: Samolus
L.
Type species
Samolus valerandi L.

Species

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The last complete taxonomic treatment of this genus recognizes the following species:[2][3]

Although some local floras recognize the North-American populations of S. valerandi as a separate species (S. parviflorus) or subspecies (S. valerandi ssp. parviflorus),[4] molecular and morphological data indicate that S. vagans and S. parviflorus should not be regarded as separate species but as part of a widespread "S. valerandi species complex.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Caris PL, Smets EF (2004). "A floral ontogenetic study on the sister group relationship between the genus Samolus (Primulaceae) and the Theophrastaceae". American Journal of Botany. 91 (5): 627–643. doi:10.3732/ajb.91.5.627. PMID 21653418.
  2. ^ Crusio WE (20 February 1982). "Het geslacht Samolus L". Communications of the Dutch Waterplant Society (in Dutch). 2: 13–25.
  3. ^ Crusio WE (26 May 1984). "Notes on the genus Samolus L. (Primulaceae)". Communications of the Dutch Waterplant Society. 6: 13–16.
  4. ^ "Samolus". Flora of North America. eFloras.org. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
  5. ^ Jones, K.; Anderberg, A. A.; Ronse De Craene, L. P.; Wanntorp, L. (23 June 2012). "Origin, diversification, and evolution of Samolus valerandi (Samolaceae, Ericales)". Plant Systematics and Evolution. 298 (8): 1523–1531. Bibcode:2012PSyEv.298.1523J. doi:10.1007/s00606-012-0655-z.

Bibliography

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