Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026

A PCR-based Genotyping Method to Distinguish Between Wild-type and Ornamental Varieties of Imperata cylindrica
Published on: February 20, 2012
Revisiting the taxonomy of Fagopyrum caudatum var. grandiflorum (Polygonaceae) using morphological and molecular data
Lu Tan1, Ron Yan1, Han-Mei Du1
1Panxi Crop Improvement Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Xichang University, Xichang 615000, Sichuan, China Panxi Crop Improvement Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Xichang University Xichang China https://ror.org/02h3fyk31.
Abstract:
Fagopyrum caudatum var. grandiflorum M.L.Zhou & Yu Tang is a perennial herb found in Gansu Province of China. In the present study, we combined morphological, palynological, anatomical and genetic data to clarify the taxonomic status of F. caudatum var. grandiflorum. Morphologically, in terms of flower size, achene size, leaf shape, and petiole characteristics, F. caudatum var. grandiflorum shows significant differences with F. caudatum. Its pollen grains also differ notably in size, colpi length and width, and lumina size compared to F. caudatum. Anatomically, the upper epidermis, lower epidermis, palisade tissue, spongy tissue, and leaf thickness of F. caudatum are greater than F. caudatum var. grandiflorum. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences indicates that F. caudatum var. grandiflorum has a closer genetic relationship to F. callianthum and F. lineare than to F. caudatum. Meanwhile, chloroplast regions analysis shows that F. caudatum has a closer genetic relationship with F. macrocarpum. Overall, the results from morphology, palynology, leaf anatomy, and phylogenetics support that the relationship between F. caudatum var. grandiflorum and F. caudatum should be interspecific rather than infraspecific. Considering morphological and geographic distribution, it is appropriate to recognize F. caudatum var. grandiflorum as a distinct species, renamed Fagopyrum grandiflorum (M.L.Zhou & Yu Tang) A.H.Wang & L.Tan.
Related Concept Videos
Modern Molecular Taxonomy
Applications of Molecular Taxonomy
Taxonomy
Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons
Pollination and Flower Structure
Phylogeny
