Taxonomic revision of Eragrostis Wolf from Chile, based on statistical multivariate analysis

Abstract

Eragrostis Wolf is a cosmopolitan genus which includes nearly 350 species, mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Due to the wide range in variation within this genus, the species limits are often overlapping, making diffi cult to establish specifi c boundaries and diagnostic characters. Beetwen 10 and 15 species have been previously cited for Chile. The objective was to establish the limits and the diagnostic characters in Chilean taxa, using multivariate analysis (cluster analysis and principal coordinates analysis). Twelve species, two varieties and one subspecies are recognized in the present treatment. Eight taxa are native and 4 are introduced. A key, descriptions, illustrations and the geographical distribution of each species are given.