A Numerical Taxonomic Study of Solanum Species and Hybrids

Abstract

A numerical taxonomic study, utilizing 58 characters, of Solanum (Morella) species, artificial hybrids and polyploids has been carried out. Product moment correlations secured from standardized data were clustered by the variable group method to give dendrograms. The results secured show some serious disagreement with the taxonomic interpretation held by the authors for certain of the species. The homoploid hybrids and the alloploids are usually fairly closely linked to one of their parent species. The autoploids, as would be expected, fall close to their diploid progenitors. Crossing data, based on pollen stainability, are presented for several of the species. Although a classification based on hybrid fertility would not coincide with that previously envisioned by the authors or with the results of the numerical study, it more nearly agrees with the former. It is pointed out that although numerical taxonomy does not live up to the optimistic claims made by its proponents, it can provide useful informatio...