| Abstract Detail
Systematics Section Estiandan, Monica [1], Brunell, Mark S [1]. Floral variation in the Monardella odoratissima - M. villosa complex (Lamiaceae). The two most widely distributed species in the genus Monardella are M. odoratissima, occurring in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Californian North Coast Range, Cascades, Great Basin and Rocky Mountains, and M. villosa, which occurs throughout the Coast Ranges of California and Southwestern Oregon. Both species are highly variable morphologically and are represented by several subspecies. Traditionally, vegetative characters have been used to differentiate the two species, however previous studies show that these characters intergrade in the North Coast Range of California. In this study, variation in floral morphology is examined in an effort to reevaluate the taxonomic separation of the species. Preliminary results suggest that flower dimensions are correlated with elevation, with shorter, wider flowers more common in higher elevations and longer, narrower flowers characteristic of lower elevations. Also, elevation is correlated with increased corolla tube length relative to petal lobe length, and upper corolla lip sinus depth increases relative to upper corolla lip length. The overall pattern of variation is continuous and groupings consistent with previously recognized species not readily evident. The taxonomic implications of these data will be discussed in relation to the taxonomic problems in other species of perennial Monardella in California.
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1 - University of the Pacific, Biological Sciences, 3601 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA, 95211, USA
Keywords:
Monardella
morphology
Species complex.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for BSA Sections
Session: 32
Location: Rendezvous A/Snowbird Center
Date: Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
Time: 9:00 AM
Number: 32005
Abstract ID:763 |
