ИСТИНА

Asian Schefflera Clade represents a recently recognized monophyletic group within the family Araliaceae. The taxonomic status of this clade and its delimitation are to be developed in course of the ongoing revision of the family. Basing on original ITS molecular phylogenetic analysis, we have examined diversity and evolution of several morphological characters suggested earlier for description of subgeneric taxa within the genus Schefflera as well as newly investigated. We found a single character (lamellate or entire stem pith), that is congruent with subdividing of the Asian Schefflera Clade into two subclades. Several other features show more complicate and often homoplastic evolution, but can be used in combination for describing minor groups of species within the subclades. These features include the type of partial inflorescence and floral merism which were traditionally used for delimitation of sections and even genera within Schefflera s.l. complex.