A cluster analysis study on Cinnamomum from Kerala, India

Abstract

A cluster analysis study was carried out in Cinnamomum species occurring in the Kerala state of India with an aim of solving some of the taxonomic problems existing in the genus. Twentyeight collections (OTUs) representing eight species were used in the study. Twenty characters recorded from the OTUs were subjected to numerical analysis by single, complete and average linkage analysis. The OTUs were grouped using the centroid linkage technique. The cluster analysis of characters established the following character clusters: (i) bud type, stomatal type, phyllotaxy, and epidermal thickness (ii) hairiness, hair frequency and hair length (iii) inflorescence length, nature and type (iv) thickness of leaf, palisade, and spongy parenchyma and (v) leaf length and leaf breadth. The centroid linkage clustering has shown that C. camphora, C. perrottetti, C. riparium and C. cassia are very distinct types and hence formed independent clusters. C. malabatrum and C. verum are closely related and formed close clusters. C. malabatrum is more complex having considerable intraspecific variability and hence ended up in more than one cluster, pointing to a need for a reexamination of this species. Introduction