Systematics of the genus Eragrostis Wolf (Poaceae) with particular reference
to Thailand
Wanwipha Chaisongkram1, Pranom Chantaranothai1 and Trevor R. Hodkinson2
1
Applied Taxonomic Research Center, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen
University, Thailand 40002
2
Department of Botany, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin 2, Ireland
Eragrostis is the largest genus in the grass subfamily Chloridoideae. A revision of the
genus is required at the global level but currently only some regional studies have been
undertaken. The number of Eragrostis species in Thailand is unknown because the account
for the Flora of Thailand project has not been accomplished. As an ongoing revision of
Eragrostis in Thailand, 25 species have been enumerated and presented with key to species
and species descriptions. Phylogenetic analyses have been conducted to understand the interrelationships of species within the genus. Nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS) and plastid DNA
(rps16 and matK) sequences have been obtained for the majority of taxa and have been
combined with existing data from GenBank. Results of the phylogenetic analyses using
parsimony and Bayesian approaches will be discussed.
KEY WORDS: Eragrostis, Poaceae, Thailand, systematics