Cerasus conradinae is an important germplasm resource of wild cherry in China. In this work, sampling was expanded and genetic evidence was added for further study. The current and future potential populations were predicted by niche model. Based on three cpDNA sequences and one nrDNA sequence, and combined with the phylogeographic evolution of 12 populations of 244 individuals in C.conradinae, the temporal and spatial patterns of genetic variation in C.conradinae were investigated, and the effects of genetic drift and differentiation as well as natural environmental factors on the genetic variation and evolutionary distribution of C.conradinae were elucidated. Finally, morphological evidence combined with molecular evidence was used to discuss the species definition of population variation and differentiation. The results showed that Central China, East China and Southwest China were the core regions for the conservation and utilization of germplasm resources of C.conradinae. Support for variant Cerasus conradinae var. ruburm is established. The genetic diversity of C.conradinae was high (Hd = 0.830; Rd = 0.798). There was genetic variation among populations of C.conradinae, and genealogical geographic structure existed among the populations and three geographical groups, but the genetic differentiation coefficient at each level was low. The gene exchange was obvious in Southwest China, and the differentiation was obvious in Central China. The population and three geographic groups do not reject the expectation of expansion model. Two distinct lineages (three geographic groups) were identified from the population of C.conradinae: Central China+ East China lineage and East China+ (Central China+Southwest China) lineage, two lineages of 4.38Mya occurred in the early Pliocene based on geographical isolation. The southeastern part of Eastern China near Mount Wuyi was the most likely refuge for C.conradinae. The results provided a theoretical basis for the classification and identification of C.conradinae and the protection and utilization of germplasm resources.

Cerasus serrulata (Rosaceae) is an important flowering cherry resource. It is almost the most widely distributed species in the genus, mainly included in the subtropical and temperate China, which enables the geographic evolutionary pattern to be a representative. Besides, the morphological traits are greatly varied especially in ornamental characters. All of these makes Cerrasus serrulata a valuable research object. Thus, phylogeographic analysis was conducted to apprehend the spatial pattern and evolutionary history, which can also add insights into the phylogeography of the genus Cerasus and plants in subtropical and temperate China, as well as to deeper understand the genetic diversity and structure of the germplasm to make better and more effective utilization. A total of 327 individuals of 18 populations were collected. Three cpDNA fragments (matK, trnD-E, trnS-G) and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were utilized. The result showed a high genetic diversity both in species level and population level of Cerrasus serrulata. The high genetic differentiation among populations and the existence of phylogeographic structure in whole were detected. In addition, no bottleneck was identified. The the distribution pattern and center were formed before the LGM. Two geographical lineages were inferred. One was confined to Qingling Mountain and Taihang Mt. The other was from the Wuling Mt to Lu-Huang Mt, and then went northeast to the coast of Asia. Besides, taxonomic treatments of the Cerasus serrulata complex were reconsidered.