A numerical analysis of chromatographic profiles in North American taxa of the fern genus Gymnocarpium

Abstract

<jats:p> As part of a systematic investigation of the genus Gymnocarpium in North America, a survey of chromatographic profiles in species and hybrids of the genus was initiated. It was established through cluster analysis and ordination of the phenolic data that morphologically distinguishable taxa of Gymnocarpium can be recognized by their chromatographic profiles alone. These data provide supportive evidence for the recognition of G. robertianum and G. jessoense ssp. parvulum as distinct taxa and for the hybrid status of G. × intermedium. They also suggest that, as currently circumscribed, G. jessoense ssp. jessoense is a heterogeneous taxon. </jats:p>