Vavilovia formosa (Stev.) Fed. (Fabeae, Fabaceae) on Meyen’s ‘panel with a multitude of lamps’

Abstract

The concept of statistical nature of taxon first proposed by S.V. Meyen was applied to system of the Fabeae tribe (Fabaceae) in order to clarify the position of Vavilovia formosa (Stev.) Fed. Details of morphology of this rare plant have also been clarified. Molecular markers (RAPD) were used to reveal the infrageneric structure of Vavilovia. The discussed form does not show unique features which clearly distinguish it from the related genera Pisum and Lathyrus, but it may be referred to as genus of its own. The revealed infrageneric differences coincide with the geographical distribution and may evidence the beginning of divergence. However, the subclades within Vavilovia are better treated as subspecies or varieties.