A phylogeny of Uniolinae with a new genus, Eragrostiola and combination, E. spicata (Poaceae, Chloridoideae, Eragrostideae, Uniolinae)

We present a molecular DNA phylogeny of Uniola utilizing three plastid (rps 16 - trnK spacer, rps 16 intron, rpl 32 - trnL spacer) and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions investigating 87 species of tribe Eragrostideae, including an increase in the sampling of species known to occur within Uniola. We describe a new genus, Eragrostiola, and make a new combination, Eragrostiola spicata, for a species that had been placed in Eragrostis for 134 years.

Uniola and Eragrostiola include six species all native to the western hemisphere, share a common ancestor with the Fingerhuthia (Entoplocamia + Tetrachne) clade of African origin.