| Abstract: | In this paper the classification of the genus Bergenia Moench is provided, its
geographic distribution analysed, and the phylogeny also traced. Based on an analysis of
morphological characters such as leaves, ocreas, branches of inflorescences, Pedicels, hypanthium, sepals, and glandular indumentum, thi genus is divided into 3 sections: 1. Sect. Scopulosae J. T. Pan, sect. nov., 2. Sect. Bergnia, 3. Sect. Ciliatae (A. Boriss.) J. T. Pan, stat. nov.
The Sect. Scopulosae J. T. Pan may be considered as the primitive one, while Sect. Ciliatae
(A. Boriss.) J. T. Pan may be regarded as the advanced one, with Sect. Bergenia in between.
So far, the genus Bergenia Moench comprises 9 species in the total. Southeast Asia and
North Asia (south and east Siberia, USSR) each have only 1 species, West Asia (Afghanistan) has 2, Central Asia (Kirghizia-Tajikistan-Uzbekstan area, USSR) 3, South Asia 4 (Nepal
has 4, India, Pakistan and Kashmir area each has 3, Bhutan and Sikkim each has 2), East
Asia 6. In East Asia, Mongolia and Korea each have only 1 species, but China has 6 (including endemic species 2 and new species 1). Sichuan Province and Xizang Autonomous Region
each have 3, Yunnan Province 2, Shaanxi Province (Qinling Mountains) and Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang each have only 1.
Thus the distribution centre of this genus should be in the region covering Sichuan, Yunnan and Xizang. Moreover, it is noteworthy that Bergenia scopulosa T.
P. Wang in Sect. Scopulosae seems to have retained primitive characters, for example, non-ciliate leaves and ocreas, glabrous pedicels, hypanthium and sepals, and
this primitive species is found in Qinling Mountains and Sichuan. According to the
distribution of the primitive species, the author suggests that the centre of origin of
this genus be in the region covering Qinling Mountains and Sichuan. |
