Besseya

Species treated as Besseya by P. A. Rydberg (1903), F. W. Pennell (1933), and C. G. Schaack (1983) are monophyletic in Synthyris. The bilabiate flowers and more coriaceous leaves characteristic of the besseyas are derived in Synthyris. Dissected leaves are convergent in Synthyris, evolving independently in S. pinnatifida and the clade consisting of S. canbyi, S. dissecta, and S. lanuginosa, in association with shifts into alpine and treeline environments (L. Hufford and M. McMahon 2004). Synthyris cordata and S. reniformis are low elevation species of moist forests that uniquely share decumbent infructescences, an apparent specialization for seed dispersal by ants.

besseya

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