Variability of the seeds and cones and key taxonomic characters selection ofLarix in Northeast China

Abstract

The paper presents the results of biometrical study of the seeds and cones of larch taxa from Northeast of China. Fourteen characters are considered and their analyses showed that the seeds and cones of the larch taxa were relative greatly variable. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis for all 6 larch taxa were made. The analysis results proved that the dominant larch population in Toudao Farm fell within the range of variation ofLarix olgensis. The key taxonomic characters are the length of seed wing, length of cone, length of seed, the length/width ratio of seed and number of scales.

Keywords

Larix / Seeds and cones / Variability / Biometry / Key character selection / Principal component analysis / Northeastern China

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