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New Zealand species of Geranium are shown to be closely related, forming a monophyletic group. Relationships inferred from Bayesian and NeighborNet analyses of internal and external transcribed spacer sequences generally agreed and were congruent with those inferred from study of morphological characters. Two groups of species (G. brevicaule and G. retrorsum groups) are well supported based on morphology and DNA sequence data. A third group, referred to as the G. microphyllum group, is recognised based on morphology but is only partially supported by the DNA sequence data. The DNA sequence and morphological variability in each of the G. brevicaule, G. microphyllum, and G. retrorsum groups support the recognition of additional taxonomic entities from New Zealand, but further study is required to address these issues. Furthermore, additional sampling of Australian and South American species of Geranium must be carried out before a taxonomic re-evaluation can be made of sections Andina and Chilensia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sections Andina and Chilensia of Geranium from South America, Australia and New Zealand are taxonomically revised. Fruits with ‘seed ejection-type’ dispersal have been found in all species, which confirms their classification within subgen. Geranium. Section Andina consist of four species, while sect. Chilensia comprises 11 taxa. In sect. Andina, G. brevicaule and G. parodii, previously considered as synonyms or recognized as infraspecific taxa, are accepted at species level. In contrast, G. tucumanum, G. sessiliflorum ssp. novaezelandiae and 17 other taxa have been reduced to synonyms. In sect. Chilensia, G. patagonicum, G. fiebrigianum and G. drumondii have been considered as synonyms of G. berteroanum, G. fallax and G. solanderi, respectively. Additionally, another 24 taxa have been reduced to synonyms. Diagnostic morphological features are analysed and compared within and between the sections. A multivariate morphometric study from 258 specimens was carried out to test the most significant characters. The chromosome number of six species (five never previously counted) was established. A key, species descriptions, a complete list of synonymy, a list of specimens examined and distribution maps are provided. Most species are illustrated for the first time. Thirty-seven lectotypes and one neotype are designated. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 149, 1–68. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]