Classification of some Eremurus spp. genotypes in Iran using morphological ‎characters

Iran is the third distribution center of the genus Eremurus with seven species, three subspecies and one hybrid. In order to study inter and intra specific genetic variation, 87 genotypes representing six species including E. inderiensis, E. olgae, E. persicus, E. stenophyllus, E. luteus and E. spectabilis collected from nine provinces were evaluated in terms of quantitative and qualitative morphological traits. Factors analysis showed that five components accounted 96% of total variances. Inflorescence, shoot and plant height, flower color, leaf number and fruit shape were constituted as main factors. Cluster analysis divided genotypes into six clusters at species level. The populations within each group were geographically different, indicating that there was no relationship between cluster pattern based on morphological traits and geographic distribution of the specimens. Calculating correlation coefficients using morphological data showed that there were positive correlations among most of the quantitative traits. Generally, the results showed that Eremurus genotypes have a high genetic diversity in regard to the studied traits. Based on morphological results, E. olgae and E. stenophyllus have breeding potential for cut flower, while E. inderiensis, E. persicus and E. luteus are suitable species for rock gardens and landscape design applications.