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

PRYER, K. M., D. M. BRITTON, and J. MCNEILL. 1983. A numerical analysis of chromatographic profiles in North American taxa of the fern genus Gymnocnrpium. Can. J. Bot. 61: 2592-2602. As part of a systematic investigation of the genus Gyrnrzocnrpiiirn in North America, a survey of chromatographic profiles in species and hybrids of the genus was initiated. It was established through cluster analysis and ordinationof the phenolic data that morphologically distinguishable taxa of Gytnnocnrpiunz can be recognized by their chromatographic profiles alone. These data provide supportive evidence for the recognition of G . robertinnum and G. jessoerzse ssp. pnrvulurn as distinct taxa and for the hybrid status of G . X intermediurn. They also suggest that, as currently circumscribed, G . jessoer~se ssp. jessoense is a heterogeneous taxon.