Cladistic analyses using parsimony jackknifing were performed on DNA sequences from the chloroplast gene rbcL to elucidate phylogenetic relationships in Primula and its relationships to other genera of the Primulaceae. A total of 51 species from Primulaceae and 34 species from related families were included. The results showed that the genus Primula was not monophyletic because the genera Dodecatheon, Cortusa, Sredinskya, and Dionysia had their closest relatives within Primula. The results also showed that the genera Pomatosace and Douglasia were derived relatives of Androsace. Diagnostic characters such as leaf vernation, pollen type, and base chromosome numbers were discussed.

Communicating Editor: John V. Freudenstein