MORPHOMETRIC PATTERNS IN THE NYMPHAEA-ALBA-CANDIDA COMPLEX

Multivariate analyses were used to study the morphological variation i n two Nymphaea species, Nymphaea alba L. and Nymphaea candida Presl. T hree datasets consisting of qualitative, multistate discrete and conti nuous characters of water lily plants from 49 localities were analysed throughout The Netherlands. The analyses displayed a clear division b etween N. alba and N. candida. The classification of the specimens wit h an intermediate morphology is less stable. The important parameters that account for the differentiation of the taxa were determined, and a comparison was made with those described in the literature. Frequenc y analyses and multivariate techniques revealed several characters whi ch may be used as reliable identification rules.