Research Training Program

Michelle Anderson
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

W. John Kress, Ph.D.
Supervising Scientist
Department of Botany

The Systematic Implications of Seed Morphology in Central American Species of Heliconia

This research focused on a study of Heliconia seeds from worldwide locations. The study set included seeds of 90 species representing numerous populations and varieties. Seeds were sorted, cleaned, soaked, labeled, catalogued and inventoried. In addition, measurements of length, width and height were taken and 13 morphological characters described including the endocarp. The data was analyzed for 24 Central American species of Heliconia. The results of this analysis showed that most seeds of Heliconia are significantly different, that seed characters can be used as a distinguishing feature for Heliconia, and that many seed character states reflect phylogenetic relationships within the genus.

Further investigations could lead to use of seed characters to determine natural phylogenies of Heliconia.

This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program ( Award: DIR-9200203).