Biosystematic studies on the umbellatum‐angustifolium complex in the genus Ornithogalum (Liliaceae). III. Morphological analysis

The morphology of 175 specimens of Ornithogalum belonging to 12 species were analyzed on the basis of 31 characters. The methods used were cluster analysis (agglomerative clustering using Ward's average), principal components analysis (using correlation coefficients) and oligothetic characterization of clusters and species. The splitting level at which seven clusters were separated is the best possible one according to the criteria as used. The separation of nine clusters yields more information on the distribution of the species. Both the clusters and the species are separated from each other in the attribute space performed by the first, second and third principal component. The species of the umbellatum‐angustifolium complex, i.e. O. umbellatum, O. angustifoliwn, O. refractum, O. monticolum, O. baeticum and O. algeriense , are clearly separated. A. parallel evolution of the pollen‐sterile strains of the bulbilliferous species O. umbellatum and O. angustifolium could be traced. A dichotomous key for all the species involved is proposed.