Zygophylloideae is a subfamily of the family Zygophyllaceae. The subfamily comprises about 180 species of shrubs, subshrubs and herbs,[1] found throughout arid parts of the Palaeotropics and into North and South America. As of February 2025[update], the division of the subfamily into genera is disputed, with between four and seven genera accepted by different sources.
Taxonomy
Molecular phylogenetic studies from 2000 onwards have repeatedly strongly supported the monophyly of the subfamily Zygophylloideae. However, the division of the subfamily into genera remains disputed, as of February 2025[update].[2] A study in 2000 showed that the genus Zygophyllum, as then circumscribed, was polyphyletic, with Augea, Fagonia and Tetraena embedded within it.[3] One response to this, published in 2018, was to expand Zygophyllum to include these three genera.[4] As of February 2025[update], both Plants of the World Online and the World Flora Online synonymize Augea, Fagonia and Tetraena with Zygophyllum, but retain Melocarpum and Miltianthus.[5][6]
An alternative proposed in 2003 is to recognize six monophyletic genera (Augea, Fagonia, Melocarpum, Roepera, Tetraena, and Zygophyllum). A cladogram supporting this proposal is shown below.[1]
Zygophylloideae
Roepera
Zygophyllum (including Miltianthus)
Tetraena
Augea
Fagonia
Melocarpum
Zygophyllum sensu Plants of the World Online as of February 2025[update] (excluding Miltianthus)[5]
Sheahan in 2006 did not fully support the recognition of six genera within the Zygophylloideae. He accepted Tetraena only as a monotypic genus endemic to Inner Mongolia, and did not accept Roepera.[7] A 2008 study recognized neither Roepera nor Tetraena. Its preferred cladogram is shown below.[8]
Members of the subfamily Zygophylloideae are generally adapted to arid conditions. They are found in dry or desert areas throughout the Palaeotropics, including Asia, northern Africa and Arabia, southwestern Africa, and Australia.[9] In the broad circumscription used by, for example, Plants of the World Online, the genus Zygophyllum extends into North and South America.[5]
^ abcBeier, B.-A.; Chase, M.W. & Thulin, M. (2003), "Phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of subfamily Zygophylloideae (Zygophyllaceae) based on molecular and morphological data", Plant Systematics and Evolution, 240 (1–4): 11–39, doi:10.1007/s00606-003-0007-0
^Smith, G.F. & Figueiredo, E. (2022), "Zygophyllaceae", in Eggli, U. & Nyffeler, R. (eds.), Dicotyledons: Rosids, Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants, Cham.: Springer
^Sheahan, M.C. & Chase, M.W. (2000), "Phylogenetic Relationships within Zygophyllaceae Based on DNA Sequences of Three Plastid Regions, with Special Emphasis on Zygophylloideae", Systematic Botany, 25 (2): 371–384, doi:10.2307/2666648, JSTOR2666648, S2CID85576133
^Christenhusz, M.J.M.; Fay, M.F. & Byng, J.W., eds. (2018), The Global Flora. A practical flora to vascular plant species of the world. Special Edition, GLOVAP Nomenclature Part 1, Vol. 4, Bradford: Plant Gateway, p. 92–94
^ abcd"Zygophyllum L.", Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2025-02-04
^Sheahan, M.C. (2006), "Zygophyllaceae", in Kubitzki, K. (ed.), The families and genera of vascular plants, vol. IX, Berlin/Heidelberg: Springer, pp. 488–500
^ abBellstedt, D.U.; van Zyl, L.; Marais, E.M.; Bytebier, B.; de Villiers, C.A.; Makwarela, A.M. & Dreyer, L.L. (2008), "Phylogenetic relationships, character evolution and biogeography of southern African members of Zygophyllum (Zygophyllaceae) based on three plastid regions", Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 47 (3): 932–949, doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2008.02.019
^Wang, J.; Yang, H.; Bozorov, T.A.; Albach, D.C. & Zhang, D. (2020), "Evolutionary Pattern of High Variation Traits in Subfamily Zygophylloideae (Zygophyllaceae)", Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae, 89 (1): 1–7, doi:10.5586/asbp.8911
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