Diversity of Avenella Drejer (Gramineae) in the Iberian Peninsula inferred from micromorphology, cytogenetic analysis, isozyme assays and in situ hybridization

Micromorphology, cytogenetic analysis, isozyme assays, and in situ hybridization were used in order to analyse the diversity of Avenella in the norm‐west Iberian Peninsula. Among the taxa analysed, somatic chromosome numbers 2n= 4x = 28 and 2n= 8x = 56 were found. Differences in habit, micromorphology and MDH patterns were also detected. Chromosome C‐banding pattern and results obtained from total genomic DNA in situ hybridization indicate that die different taxa analysed are closely related. The systematic position of the different taxa is analysed.