Phenotypic variation and distribution pattern of natural populations of Sinocalycanthus chinensis

In order to show the phenotypic variation of eight natural populations of Sinocalycanthus chinensis,22 phenotypic traits including flowers,leaves,fruits and seeds were investigated.Significant variations among and within populations were found(P 0.01).The average coefficient of variation(CVs) was 12.15%(ranging from 6.40% to 45.87%),while the average phenotypic differentiation coefficient(Vst) was 41.87%(ranging from 1.14%--85.07% ).The variation within eight populations(58.13% ) was larger than that among populations(41.87% ).The outer-perianth color of S.chinensis varied from white,baby pink,pink to dark pink and the proportion of outer-perianth color varied among different populations.Among the 22 phenotypic traits,eight showed a significant relation with ecological factors.According to a UPGMA cluster analysis,the eight populations were divided into four groups.The differentiation of phenotypic traits was consistent with the geological distribution of S.chinensis populations.