Morphological Trait Variations and Flower Color Differences in Wild <i>Crocus</i> Species
This study investigates the phenotypic diversity of spring-flowering <i>Crocus</i> species native to Serbia by analyzing their morphological traits and flower color variations. Detailed phenotypic characterization was performed on seven species: <i>C. alexandri</i>, <i>...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Horticulturae |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/10/11/1214 |
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| author | Nataša Krstić Goran Jaćimović Branka Ljevnaić-Mašić Sofija Petrović Željana Prijić Đorđe Krstić Borislav Banjac |
| author_facet | Nataša Krstić Goran Jaćimović Branka Ljevnaić-Mašić Sofija Petrović Željana Prijić Đorđe Krstić Borislav Banjac |
| author_sort | Nataša Krstić |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates the phenotypic diversity of spring-flowering <i>Crocus</i> species native to Serbia by analyzing their morphological traits and flower color variations. Detailed phenotypic characterization was performed on seven species: <i>C. alexandri</i>, <i>C. chrysanthus</i>, <i>C. heuffelianus</i>, <i>C. randjeloviciorum</i>, <i>C. rujanensis</i>, <i>C. variegatus</i>, and <i>C. weldenii</i>. The study examines how morphological parameters of tested species diverged from average values during a hot and dry winter, resulting in smaller plants, earlier and shorter flowering periods, and reduced flower size, regardless of species. Hierarchical clustering based on morphological traits grouped the species into three clusters: the first cluster included <i>C. alexandri</i>, <i>C. chrysanthus</i>, <i>C. rujanensis</i>, and <i>C. weldenii</i>, characterized by the highest number of leaves and the lowest number of flowers; the second consisted of <i>C. randjeloviciorum</i>, distinguished by shorter plant height and the greatest number of flowers; and the third cluster comprised <i>C. heuffelianus</i> and <i>C. variegatus</i>, notable for the tallest plants, widest corms and leaves, and longest perigon segments. Grouping based on petal color components (L*, a*, b*, chroma, and hue) formed five distinct clusters, demonstrating differences in flower color. These findings are valuable for taxonomic classification, conservation measures, and breeding programs, which ultimately support the conservation of biodiversity and the promotion of ornamental plant cultivation. Flower color in particular has proven to be a reliable species indicator, as it remains constant despite the year and/or habitat. The use of a colorimeter can speed up the identification of species in the field and provides researchers and conservationists with a practical tool. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a6ff10ea21a7464d8c53e4e768adefd6 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2311-7524 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
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| series | Horticulturae |
| spelling | doaj-art-a6ff10ea21a7464d8c53e4e768adefd62025-08-20T01:53:58ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242024-11-011011121410.3390/horticulturae10111214Morphological Trait Variations and Flower Color Differences in Wild <i>Crocus</i> SpeciesNataša Krstić0Goran Jaćimović1Branka Ljevnaić-Mašić2Sofija Petrović3Željana Prijić4Đorđe Krstić5Borislav Banjac6Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Dositej Obradovića Square 8, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Dositej Obradovića Square 8, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Dositej Obradovića Square 8, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Dositej Obradovića Square 8, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaInstitute for Medicinal Plants Research “Dr Josif Pančić” Belgrade, Tadeuša Košćuška 1, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaFaculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Dositej Obradovića Square 8, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Dositej Obradovića Square 8, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaThis study investigates the phenotypic diversity of spring-flowering <i>Crocus</i> species native to Serbia by analyzing their morphological traits and flower color variations. Detailed phenotypic characterization was performed on seven species: <i>C. alexandri</i>, <i>C. chrysanthus</i>, <i>C. heuffelianus</i>, <i>C. randjeloviciorum</i>, <i>C. rujanensis</i>, <i>C. variegatus</i>, and <i>C. weldenii</i>. The study examines how morphological parameters of tested species diverged from average values during a hot and dry winter, resulting in smaller plants, earlier and shorter flowering periods, and reduced flower size, regardless of species. Hierarchical clustering based on morphological traits grouped the species into three clusters: the first cluster included <i>C. alexandri</i>, <i>C. chrysanthus</i>, <i>C. rujanensis</i>, and <i>C. weldenii</i>, characterized by the highest number of leaves and the lowest number of flowers; the second consisted of <i>C. randjeloviciorum</i>, distinguished by shorter plant height and the greatest number of flowers; and the third cluster comprised <i>C. heuffelianus</i> and <i>C. variegatus</i>, notable for the tallest plants, widest corms and leaves, and longest perigon segments. Grouping based on petal color components (L*, a*, b*, chroma, and hue) formed five distinct clusters, demonstrating differences in flower color. These findings are valuable for taxonomic classification, conservation measures, and breeding programs, which ultimately support the conservation of biodiversity and the promotion of ornamental plant cultivation. Flower color in particular has proven to be a reliable species indicator, as it remains constant despite the year and/or habitat. The use of a colorimeter can speed up the identification of species in the field and provides researchers and conservationists with a practical tool.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/10/11/1214<i>Crocus alexandri</i><i>Crocus chrysanthus</i><i>Crocus heuffelianus</i><i>Crocus randjeloviciorum</i><i>Crocus rujanensis</i><i>Crocus variegatus</i> |
| spellingShingle | Nataša Krstić Goran Jaćimović Branka Ljevnaić-Mašić Sofija Petrović Željana Prijić Đorđe Krstić Borislav Banjac Morphological Trait Variations and Flower Color Differences in Wild <i>Crocus</i> Species Horticulturae <i>Crocus alexandri</i> <i>Crocus chrysanthus</i> <i>Crocus heuffelianus</i> <i>Crocus randjeloviciorum</i> <i>Crocus rujanensis</i> <i>Crocus variegatus</i> |
| title | Morphological Trait Variations and Flower Color Differences in Wild <i>Crocus</i> Species |
| title_full | Morphological Trait Variations and Flower Color Differences in Wild <i>Crocus</i> Species |
| title_fullStr | Morphological Trait Variations and Flower Color Differences in Wild <i>Crocus</i> Species |
| title_full_unstemmed | Morphological Trait Variations and Flower Color Differences in Wild <i>Crocus</i> Species |
| title_short | Morphological Trait Variations and Flower Color Differences in Wild <i>Crocus</i> Species |
| title_sort | morphological trait variations and flower color differences in wild i crocus i species |
| topic | <i>Crocus alexandri</i> <i>Crocus chrysanthus</i> <i>Crocus heuffelianus</i> <i>Crocus randjeloviciorum</i> <i>Crocus rujanensis</i> <i>Crocus variegatus</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/10/11/1214 |
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