Abstract
Phylogenetic analyses of some sections of Silene (Caryophyllaceae) were presented by using nrDNA ITS and cpDNA rps16 intron sequences. Forty taxa, belonging to the sections Auriculatae, Spergulifoliae, Lasiocalycinae, and Ampullatae, were investigated. The molecular results showed that the species belonging to S. sect. Auriculatae, Spergulifoliae, and Ampullatae were strongly supported as one separated clade. Furthermore, species in S. sect. Lasiocalycinae remain closely related to those in the S. sect. Auriculatae. In this study, a comparative evaluation was performed among these four sections to determine which classification (local flora or recent molecular studies) can be proven. Furthermore, the phylogenetic position of some new species, which have been described and reported from Iran after Melzheimer investigation, were discussed. Some species were nested within S. sect. Auriculatae displayed great affinity.