Morphological variations of genus Polypogon in Iran

Polypogon (Poaceae), a Mediterranean - Southwest Asian genus with about 18 species in world and 4 species in Iran is a common adventive genus of open habitats. These halophytic or glycophytic species grow in moist areas of different habitats of Iran. These species grow in Irano-Turanian and Saharo-Sindian regions in Iran. In this study, accessions of Polypogon were collected from its distribution regions in Iran. There are difficulties in recognition of some Polypogon species by traditional identification keys. Biometrical analysis was done using 46 quantitative and qualitative morphological characters from which 13 characters were of diagnostic values. Characters such as glume apex, hairs frequency and shape, spike compactness and ligule shape were main diagnostic features of this genus in Iran. An identification key based on evaluated characters by factor analysis and principle component analysis was provided and species affinities were evaluated