A multivariate analysis of Pteryxia terebinthina (Apiaceae)

Recognition of infraspecific taxa in Pteryxia terebinthina (vars. albiflora, californica, foeniculacea, and terebinthina) is controversial. Multivariate analysis of variance, principal component analysis, and discriminant analysis of 265 specimens representing the morphological variability and geographic distribution of the species complex were conducted to test the validity of these infraspecific taxa. Results show that var. terebinthina can be recognized by its unique fruit wing structure. There are statistically significant differences among the remaining varieties for most of the characters previously used to recognize these varieties, but all of these characters are overlapping among the taxa. No clearly separated clusters are revealed in the principal component analysis and discriminant analysis does not allow reliable recognition of the varieties. We therefore propose that this species complex be recognized as containing two varieties, foeniculacea and terebinthina.