Species relationships of genus Plantago L.(Plantaginaceae) based on molecular and morphological evidence

The genus Plantago L. is a cosmopolitan genus with more than 200 species and has the greatest dispersal rate in tropical and subtropical regions. The taxonomy of the genus Plantago is controversial at the section and subgenus levels. Therefore, we attempt to determine the relationships among 20 species of this genus for the first time in Iran using both morphological and molecular data. ISSR marker and morphological characteristics were used to examine relationships among different species and compare the results with different classifications. The molecular study of Plantago species showed that ISSR marker is not a good marker at the section and subgenus levels, but is a good marker at the species level and it can identify different genetic groups. Morphological study showed that according to Rahn's taxonomy, the studied species should be in 4 subgenera, but section Albicans is in need of taxonomic revision.