Phenotypic Variations in Communities of Calligonum comosum L'Her (Polygonaceae) from Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Vegetative community structures and phenotypic variations within Calligonum comosum L'Her communities growing in two different locations in Saudi Arabia, Nefud Al-Shakika and Al-Dahnaa, have been studied. Eleven species have been recorded in both areas; five of them were present in both locations. Ephedra elata and Convolvulus lanatus were recorded in Nefud Al-Shakika only, while Heliotropium bacciferum, Cleome arabica, Dodonaea vis cos a and Erodium gleurocophyllum were found in Al-Dahnaa only. The Importance Values of the species recorded have been calculated and cluster analyses of the studied quadrats have been conducted using TWINSPAN. Vegetative morphological characteristics showed great variation within Calligonum comosum collected from the two locations. Floral morphological characteristics were more stable, except for fruit color and hair which were different in the Calligonum comosum plants grown in the two locations. Epidermal stem secretions as well as mineral content varied in response to change in location. AN OVA tests have been carried out to evaluate the differences between the two areas. The variations in these characteristics are discussed according to the differences in climate, soil and water availability.