Journal article

Publication year: 2004

Pages: 19-51

Journal: Forum geobotanicum : an electronic journal of geobotanical research

Volume number: 1

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.3264/FG.2004.1215

Publisher: Forum Geobotanicum

Abstract: 

Prunus spinosa L. (Rosaceae) is one of the most widespread members of the genus Prunus
in middle europe. Its morphological plasticity resulted in a number of
described taxa at subspecific level. Since the early neolithic times,
drupes of the plum family are recorded and exhibit already a remarkable
diversity in size and form. Here we present a short historical account
to the use of P. spinosa and an overview of the different
taxonomic treatments. We examined distribution patterns in general and
in particular in the central valley of the river Saale (Thuringia) with
respect to ecological, edaphic and climatic factors. We assessed within
16 populations the variability of 22 metric and 10 qualitative
morphological characters at 7 different locations. Population sites
included forest-, way- and fieldsides, as well as lightish pine forests.
Pollen fertility did not increase during the flowering period, all
flowers were directly fully fertile from the beginning. In contrast,
glucose content varied significantly depending of the status of
fertilization. Epicuticular wax structure was without variation amongst
the populations. P. spinosa leaves are covered with a smooth
layer of slightly striated wax. Morphological characters were scored on
270 branches and 506 fruits. Most of the characters showed enormous
variability among and within populations such as metrics of leaves,
thorns and character states of flower morphology. The lowest variability
among populations and therefore not dependend of modificatory factors
was found in fruit characters. Since kernel morphology seems to be
genetically rather than modificatory controlled, we applied the 3
taxonomical concepts of Werneck, Kühn and Scholz u. Scholz to identify
evolutionary units at subspecific levels. However, population
variability was still so high, that from our study here we can not
support an infraspecific classification of Prunus spinosa L.

Harvard Citation style: Hübner, S. and Wissemann, V. (2004) Morphometrische Analysen zur Variabilität von Prunus spinosa L. - Populationen : (Prunoideae, Rosaceae) im Mittleren Saaletal, Thüringen, Forum geobotanicum : an electronic journal of geobotanical research, 1, pp. 19-51. https://doi.org/10.3264/FG.2004.1215

APA Citation style: Hübner, S., & Wissemann, V. (2004). Morphometrische Analysen zur Variabilität von Prunus spinosa L. - Populationen : (Prunoideae, Rosaceae) im Mittleren Saaletal, Thüringen. Forum geobotanicum : an electronic journal of geobotanical research. 1, 19-51. https://doi.org/10.3264/FG.2004.1215