A taximetric study of Vaccinium in northeastern Ontario

Abstract

A study of the population characteristics of wild blueberries in northeastern Ontario was completed using techniques of numerical taxonomy. Forty-five characters were determined on samples of Vaccinium populations from three locations. Analyses of these samples involved (1) the estimation of similarity among individual specimens by the calculation of "taxonomic distance" and (2) the preparation of hierarchic dendrograms. On the dendrogram for each collection two phenon levels were selected, (1) a value of 8.5 for the similarity coefficient to indicate species and (2) a value of 8.8 for the similarity coefficient to indicate variety.The major population components, V. myrtilloides Michx. and V. angustifolium Ait., were separated below a phenon level of 8.5 in all samples. V. myrtilloides exhibited less polymorphism and, in addition, showed distinct differences in phenological characters in comparison to V. angustifolium. Populations of V. angustifolium showed considerable polymorphism, part of which was referable to the characteristics of the varieties and forms described within this species.Specimens recognized as V. boreale Hall and Aalders (the diploid relative of V. angustifolium) were not separated from V. angustifolium at the species level. Also, the variety known as V. angustifolium var. nigrum (Wood) Dole was not separated from V. angustifolium at the rank of variety. In contrast, V. angustifolium var. laevifolium House was found to be a recognizable entity.Specimens recognized as natural hybrids of V. myrtilloides × V. boreale (perhaps also V. angustifolium) were usually separated at a phenon level below that accepted for specific rank. The numerical method appeared to be particularly useful in the separation of these hybrids.