Distribution, intraespecific variability, lowland areas and hills, sandy dunes, Solanum commersonii.

Abstract

Distribution and morphological variability in populations of Solanum commersonii (Solanaceae) in the Pampas region of Argentina. Solanum commersonii is a wild tuber bearing species, widely distributed in the Distrito Pampeano Austral and Oriental of Argentina. It is found growing in different habitats: on coastal dunes and in Paspalum quadrifarium tussocks distributed both in the lowland as well as on the hillsides. In order to compare the populations from the different sites, 17 populations of S. commersonii, one of S. malmeanum and one of S. chacoense, the last two species included as outgroups, were studied. Morphological and reproductive characters were registered in 6 to 10 plants in each population studied and the data were analyzed by means of an analysis of variance, components and coordinates. A minimum spanning tree was calculated to visualize the groups formed. The results obtained with the morphological analysis revealed that the intraspecific variability detected in the populations was not associated with the particular habitat where the species grows.