BIOMETRICAL VARIABILITY OF FOLIAGE AND CONE CHARACTERS IN CUPRESSUS-BAKERI (CUPRESSACEAE)

Biometrical variability of foliage, cones, and seeds were analyzed in 8 native populations (throughout the range) of a relictual species, Cu pressus bakeri Jeps. (Cupressaceae) from California and Oregon. The pa rtition of variation within and among populations for this rare plant was investigated and the justification for subspecies status was revie wed. Morphological characters varied significantly, with more of the v ariation among populations than at the population level. Multivariate analyses indicated close affinities among populations on serpentine si tes suggesting the presence of a serpentine race. However, the high de gree of variation among populations did not permit their clear separat ion into the two subspecies described by Wolf (1948). We conclude that C. bakeri should be treated as a monotypic species.