Malus includes Docynia (Maleae, Rosaceae): evidence from phylogenomics and morphology

Abstract

Docynia has been treated as a separate genus or merged into Cydonia or Docyniopsis. Our phylogenomic evidence from 797 single-copy nuclear genes and plastomes confirmed the sister relationship between Docynia and Docyniopsis. By integrating the phylogenomic and morphological evidence, we propose to accept a broad generic concept of Malus and merge Docynia into Malus. Three new combinations are also made here: Malus delavayi (Franch.) B.B.Liu, M. indica (Wall.) B.B.Liu and M. longiunguis (Q.Luo & J.L.Liu) B.B.Liu.