ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess


Abstract Number: 2156
Poster No. = 814


TAXONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION IN POLYGALA SENEGAL


Amy Trauth-Nare and Robert Naczi Dept. Plant Biology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ


Seneca snakeroot, Polygala senega L. (Polygalaceae), is an herbaceous perennial that grows throughout eastern North America. Extensive variation among morphologic characters of P. senega has confounded its taxonomy. Some botanical authors have argued that two taxa exist within the species, P. senega var. senega and P. senega var. latifolia. Intrapopulation variation among in P. senega has lead to allegations that a series of intergrades exists between the varieties. Statistical analyses of morphologic data reveal var. latifolia is more variable than var. senega and the level of intrapopulation variation in var. latifolia can approach its interpopulation variation. Allometric analysis of leaf shape reveals significant differences between the varieties. Data suggests that var. senega and var. latifolia are better circumscribed as species.


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