VARIACIÓN MORFOLÓGICA DEL GÉNERO PROCHNYANTHES (AGAVACEAE)

Abstract

The morphologic variation of the genus Prochnyanthes was analyzed by means of the examination of 29 characters, in a sample of 544 individuals from 19 localities. The Principal Components Analysis was used, which shows the variation trends, analyses the similarities among the classification units and identifies groups. Based on the morphological evidence, it was possible to recognize two phenotypes, considered as extremes of a morphological cline. Therefore, the morphological species concept of P. mexicana was broaden to include all the variation observed. Finally, the size and color of the perianth and the length of the pedicels did not show enough variation to identify groups and consequently P. mexicana is the only recognized species of the genus