Genetic diversity, biogeography, and evolution of apomixis in North American Arabis holboellii Hornem. and Arabis drummondii Gray (Brassicaceae). Experimental approach.

Abstract

Taxa of North American Arabis, treated as genus Boechera, are of a Pleistocenic origin, They are not related to Eurasian Arabis or taxa such as A. glabra . A. pauciflora or A. turrita. The genus Boechera consists of more than 70 species. Polyploidy and even aneuploidy is widespread, and apomixis is thought to represent one major force which is driving the evolution of the species complex.