Comparative Use of Meristic and Geomorphometric Analyses of Vegetative and Floral Characters in Studying Intraspecific Variation in Portulaca grandiflora (Hook)

Athena Jan F. Valenzuela
Brian S.Santos S. Santos
Jonas P. Quilang
Ernelea P. Cao

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Publication date

December 2011

Publisher

University of the Philippines School of Economics

Journal

issn:0115-7809

Abstract

Meristic and geometric morphometric analyses were applied to 150 Portulaca grandiflora (Hook) specimens in order to examine shape variations in vegetative and floral characters between and among the morphotypes of the species. Canonical Variate Analysis of both meristic and geomorphometric data show significant (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively) variation of leaf shape, specifically that of the petiole shape, between “single” flowered and “double” flowered varieties. Plants with single flowers possess leaves that are generally wider, especially toward the apex, while those of plants with double flowers are narrower. Differences were also observed in the size and shape of the petiole such that “double” flowered varieties had a more distinct p...