ARS | Publication request: Morphological variation and chromosome studies of Calligonum mongolicum and C. pumilum (polygonaceae)

Submitted to: Nordic Journal of Botany
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 3, 2008
Publication Date: April 1, 2009
Repository URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10113/44925
Citation: Shi, W., Pan, B., Gaskin, J.F., Kang, X. 2009. Morphological Variation and Chromosome Studies of Calligonum mongolicum and C. pumilum (Polygonaceae). Nordic Journal of Botany. 27(2):81-85.

Interpretive Summary: Calligonum spp. are common plant species in desert areas of central Asia. Since they are drought-resistant, salt-tolerant and grow successfully in sand, they are useful for wind-breaks and dune stabilization. Morphological variation among individuals and populations of Calligonum mongolicum Turcz. and C. pumilum Losinsk. is investigated in the present paper. Their exact identity is unclear, as various species names have been applied to the plants. Here, we use fruit morphology and chromosome number to determine their proper taxonomic names. Results suggest that C. pumilum should be merged with C. mongolicum and we further discuss additions and improvements to the description of C. mongolicum in ‘Flora of China’.

Technical Abstract: Calligonum spp. are common plant species in desert areas of central Asia. Since they are drought-resistant, salt-tolerant and grow successfully in sand, they are useful for wind-breaks and dune stabilization. The fruit morphology is regarded as a key taxonomic character for the genus. Morphological variation among individuals and populations of Calligonum mongolicum Turcz. and C. pumilum Losinsk. is investigated in the present paper. The chromosome number for both species is also presented and found to be the same (2n_18). By combining the overlap and variation in morphological characters, the similar variational ranges and complex relationships of fruit characters, we suggest that C. pumilum should be merged with C. mongolicum and we further discuss additions and improvements to the description of C. mongolicum in ‘Flora of China’.