A Numerical Taxonomic Study of the Genus Platanus Based on Morphological and Phenolic Characters

Abstract

Forty‐two morphological and eighty chemical (phenolic) characters were employed on a numerical taxonomic study of the genus Platanus. Ten taxa were used for morphological study, and nine were available for chemical study. UPGA was employed for cluster analysis; correlation coefficients served as a measurement of the similarity between each OTU‐pair. Comparison was made for phenograms and graph diagrams of nine taxa based on morphological characters with those based on chemical characters. It has been found that the two agree with each other in many respects. Correlation coefficient between similarity matrices based on morphological and chemical characters is 0.573. The result generally supports the belief that taxa closely related on morphological grounds are similar biochemically. A systematic consideration of the genus has been made, based on the information available.

Revision of the Mexican and Guatemalan Species ofPlatanus(Platanaceae)

“…Based on characters of leaves, inflorescences, flowers and achenes, two groups can be differentiated morphologically in New World Platanus (see also Hsiao, 1973 pitula, achenes distally puberulent to densely tomentose at maturity, and apically flattened glabrescent staminodia. The alliance of P. mexicana with P. occidentalis and P. rzedowskii is weaker than the obviously strong interrelationship of the latter two species.…”