Patterns of morphological variation in the Acacia species (Mimosaceae) of northern Sudan

Abstract

KORDOFANI, M. & INGROUILLE, M., 1991. Patterns of morphological variation in the Acacia species (Mimosaceae) of northern Sudan. A numerical taxonomic review has been carried out on the morphology of northern Sudanese Acacia species. Fifty-one characters were scored from 12 species sampled at 12 sites. There is evidence of large scale population variation. Within a single site species are distinct but a comparison of plants between different sites may obscure species differences. Each species has a peculiar local variant in each sampled site, even when sites are separated by only a few kilometres. The possible significance of this pattern of variation is discussed. Species complexes are delineated and useful species diagnostics described.