Quantitative and qualitative differences in morphological traits of endocarps revealed between Cornus L. species

Abstract

The genus Cornus encompasses a wide range of attractive wild taxa, often used as ornamental plants in landscaping. The aim of this investigation was to highlight the quantitative and qualitative diversity within endocarp morphological traits apparent among 15 Cornus species representing different geographical and phylogenetic groups. Seventeen morphological traits of Cornus endocarps were evaluated in 185 Cornus collections originating from the Northern Hemisphere. To explore structure in our dataset and reduce its complexity, several multivariate statistical analyses (i.e., PCA, MANOVA, ANOVA, and analysis of contingency tables) were employed. Two clearly distinct sample groups were observed after the PCA, reflecting a high level of taxonomic division of analyzed species, i.e., subgenera: Mesomora and Kraniopsis. The study highlights qualitative and/or quantitative characters that partitioned (1) groups of species or some individual species, (2) geographical groups, and (3) cultivated and wild collections. Results of trait validation are presented in identification keys. A partial congruence was detected between our results and a currently available species level phylogeny of the genus Cornus. The morphology of Cornus endocarps is of taxonomic importance and provides a key for species identification. The existence of only subtle morphological differences between some closely related taxa does not sufficiently explain their species status. The applicability of our results to the previously published morphological records is limited, mainly due to vague terminology. Considerably more work will need to be done to determine the effect of cultivation on qualitative reproductive traits of Cornus species.

Phylogenomics, biogeography, and evolution of the blue‐ or white‐fruited dogwoods (Cornus)—Insights into morphological and ecological niche divergence following intercontinental geographic isolation

“…4, 5, 9) as two sister clades, supporting the recognition of two species. Studies of endocarp morphology of Cornus also support that they are distinct but closely related (Fosberg, 1942;Woźnicka et al 2015). Found only in gardens, Xiang et al (2006) proposed that C. pumila may be a cultivar of C. alba.…”

“…cvh.ac.cn/en), and living specimens at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum. Character states not available from these resources were determined based on research papers, such as those on leaf epidermis (Hardin & Murrell, 1997) and endocarp morphology (Woźnicka et al, 2015). We scored both discrete and continuous characters on a numeric scale starting with the value zero (Table 5).…”

Cretaceous origin of dogwoods: an anatomically preservedCornus(Cornaceae) fruit from the Campanian of Vancouver Island

“…Many taxa within Cornales, including Cornus , have endocarps with no internal vasculature for much of their length; however, bundles run in the mesocarp along the outer periphery of the septa, for some distance before entering the endocarp towards the apex and traversing the septa to supply the seeds (Horne, 1914; Wilkinson, 1944; Eyde, 1963; Eyde, 1967; Eyde, 1988; Manchester, Xiang & Xiang, 2010; Woźnicka, Melosik & Morozowska, 2015; Atkinson, 2016; Stockey, Nishida & Atkinson, 2016). Although the apex of the fossil fruit is missing, due to the conspicuous absence of any internal vascular tissue, it is most likely that this endocarp had a similar vascular pattern.…”

“…comm., 2016). Given that fruit characters of Cornus are systematically informative (Eyde, 1988; Xiang, Shui & Murrell, 2003; Manchester, Xiang & Xiang, 2010; Morozowska, Gawrońska & Woźnicka, 2013; Woźnicka, Melosik & Morozowska, 2015), fossil fruits of this genus have great potential for revealing ancient evolutionary patterns and relationships.…”

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Cornus bretschneideri (cornaceae)

“…Cornus bretschneideri; chloroplast genome; Cornaceae; phylogenetic tree Cornus bretschneideri L. Henry (Cornales: Cornaceae), a shrub or small tree, is a potential horticultural plant or a soil-fixing plant. The genus Cornus consists of 58 species that are mainly distributed in the region of East Asia and North America, only two species are distributed in South America and one in tropical East Africa (Wo znicka et al 2015). Recently, a series of chloroplast genome of Cornus and its allies were sequenced to conducted the phylogenomic analysis of Cornales (Fu et al 2019).…”