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Re: Do Sansevieria and Dracaena belong in the same family?

Dear Ben,

Two DNA studies by Bogler & Simpson confirmed the regroupings of Dahlgren,
Clifford & Yeo that were based primarily on morphology and chemistry. They
concluded that the Nolinaceae and Dracaenaceae were genetically far removed
from the Agavaceae (sensu stricto). They also confirmed that genetically
Dracaena (Pleomele) and Sansevieria are genetically isolated and far closer
to each other than to any other genera studied.

There is an on-line version of their findings.
http://dragon.strange.com/~bogler/agavaceae/intro.html

Admittedly, the only two species of Dracaenaceae they studied were Dracaena
marginata Lamarck and Sansevieria trifasciata Prain. Their conclusions
would have been much more convincing if they had included other species in
both genera with wide variations in floral types for a more representative
sampling. But their goal was to prove that those genera were genetically
different from the Agavaceae (sensu stricto).

It is difficult to find negative proof of hybridizing, be it intergeneric
or infrageneric. Very few gardeners record their failures. That is why I
consider the complete lack of intergeneric natural or spontaneous garden
hybrids to be far more significant as proof. Still, if anybody wants to try
on their own, they should go ahead and let know the results. I find that
the flowers are most receptive to pollination at night.

If one was able to do gene manipulation and fusing the nuclei of
Sansevieria and Dracaena, they might be able to circumvent any barriers to
hybridization by traditional methods. Say fusing nuclei of Sansevieria
trifasciata and Dracaena fragrans for example? That would something done in
a laboratory at the cellular level with tissue cultures and not something
the average grower could attempt.

Cereusly Steve

**************************************

Bogler, D.J. & Simpson, B.B. (1995) A CHLOROPLAST DNA STUDY OF THE
AGAVACEAE. Systematic Botany 20 (2): 191-205.

Bogler, D.J. & Simpson, B.B. (1996) PHYLOGENY OF AGAVACEAE BASED ON ITS
rDNA SEQUENCE VARIATION.  American Journal of Botany 83 (9): 1225-1235.

Dahlgren, R.M.T.; Clifford, H.T. & Yeo, P.F. (1985) THE FAMILIES OF THE
MONOCOTYLEDONS. Springer-Verlag, 520 pp.

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•Subject: Re: [SANS] Do Sansevieria and Dracaena belong in the same family?

•From: zonneveld
•Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1999 09:25:51 +0000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tom
Their are groupings at different levels Even you are in the same group
as Sans ( Eukaryotes)
Sans and Dracaena are in the same group Dracaenaceae as their DNA has
many things in common
Bogler and Simpson Am. J. Bot 83-9, 1225 ( 1996) On rDNA
and idem                  Syst bot     20,      91    ( 1995) cpDNA
I would not be too sure about non interbreeding How many people
tried?
Ben J.M.Zonneveld
Clusius lab pobox 9505
2300 RA Leiden
The Netherlands
Zonneveld@RULbim.LeidenUniv.NL
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