| Abstract: | Pityopus californicus is a rare mycoheterotrophic herb that occurs in coniferous and mixed forests of western North America. Previous authors have speculated that Pityopus californicus is not a true species but is a recurring hybrid. The reputed parental candidates of P. californicus include the closely related Pleuricospora fimbriolata , Hemitomes congestum , and Monotropa hypopithys . However, a phylogenetic analysis of large ribosomal subunit (26S) rRNA gene sequences suggests that Pityopus californicus is sister to Monotropa hypopithys and not a recurring hybrid. |
