锦香草属和野海棠属是属间界定模糊的近缘属，前者共56种，我国记录27种，后者共15种，我国记录13种。由于缺乏针对性的野外考察，两属现有标本较少，许多具有潜在分类和系统学意义的重要性状如叶表皮、花粉学、细胞学以及分子系统学的研究所涉及的种类也很零星，因此两属在种类的处理、属的界定以及属间关系方面还存在较多问题。本项目拟结合标本室工作、野外考察和实验室研究，对两属主要性状，包括形态学、微形态学、花粉学、细胞学、分子系统学、地理分布和生境进行深入研究，评估并确定其分类和系统学价值，根据性状分析结果及群体遗传学数据完成种级水平的分类学修订，并综合多学科证据重建相关类群的系统发育关系，解决属的界定和属间关系等问题。本项目的开展对解决蜂斗草族的系统学问题十分关键，可以增加对南中国植物区系以及印度-马来西亚植物区系的联系和分化问题的理解，更可为特有植物资源的合理利用及保护提供坚实的科学基础。

Phyllagathis and Bredia (Sonerileae-Melastomataceae) are closely related genera with obscure generic circumscription. Approximately 56 and 15 species are recognized in Phyllagathis and Bredia, with 27 and 13 recorded in southern China respectively. Previous studies reveal that the current taxonomy of the aforementioned genera is far from satisfactory: some taxonomic treatments at the species level are rather problematic; circumscription of the two genera, especially for Phyllagathis, remains controversial; and intergeneric relationships among Phyllagathis, Bredia and their close relatives within Sonerileae are yet largely unknown. Major causes leading to these problems include the scantiness of specimens available for study in some species, insufficient field observation and analysis of morphological character variation, and poor knowledge of data from different disciplines with potential systematic value. This project aims to address these problems using multidisciplinary approaches. Through critical survey of literature and herbarium specimen, intensive field observations and examination of morphological, micromorphological, palynological, cytological and molecular systematic characters as well as habitat prefernce and distribution, we will investigate in-depth the variation pattern of these characters and evaluate their taxonomic applicability. Problematic taxonomic treatment at the species level will be revised based on character evaluation with reference to population genetic data. We then reconstruct the phylogeny of Sonerileae with an intensive sampling of Phyllagathis, Bredia as well as the close related genera, using evidence from data from different disciplines. Results of the synthetic phylogenetic analysis will be applied to re-circumscribe Phyllagathis and Bredia, as well as to clarify the phylogenetic relationships among the generic alliances within Sonerileae. This project will resolve in a decisive manner of many phylogenetic controversies of Sonerileae, help us to gain a better understanding of the floristic connection and differentiation between southern China and Indo-Malesian area, and also provide a scientific basis for the utilization and protection of endemic plant resources (both medical and ornamental) in China.