Molecular phylogenetic systematics in the Dendrobiinae (Orchidaceae), with emphasis on

systematic research using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the 18–26S nuclear ribosomal DNA repeat unit, on representatives of most taxonomic units within the Dendrobiinae has provided independent support, in addition to morphological and biological data, for the phylogenetic reassessment of the taxon. At a broad level, the Dendrobiinae is polyphyletic with Epigeneium forming an independent clade; Dendrobium section Oxystophyllum is deeply embedded within one of the outgroups, subtribe Eriinae: Podochileae; and the remaining taxa isolated into two major groups, viz the Asian and Australasian clades. A detailed study of part of the Asian clade, with emphasis on representatives of the morphologically based Dendrobium section Pedilonum, groups species into seven major clades. Dendrobium section Pedilonum is shown to be non-monophyletic with most species previously interpreted as belonging to it being well isolated from D. secundum, the designated type of that taxon, and interspersed amongst representatives of D. section Calcarifera, Calyptrochilus, Cuthbertsonia, Dendrobium, Dolichocentrum, Oxyglossum and Platycaulon. Dendrobium section Rhopalanthe, which separates the two major clades containing representatives of D. section Pedilonum, is itself paraphyletic with representatives of sections Aporum and Bolbidium embedded within it. These molecular results, combined with morphologica