Comparative Study of the Leaf Morphology of Selected Species of Dendronium Swartz (Orchidaceae)

Abstract

Sixty two species of the genus Dendrobium (Family Orchidaceae) were studied qualitatively and quantitatively based on their leaf morphological characters as basis for taxonomic classification within the genus. Results showed that phenetic classification was achieved through cluster analysis, wherein species were grouped together based on the similar leaf characters that they share. Some species were also grouped in accordance with their taxonomic classification. Despite these findings, leaf morphology alone cannot be sole basis for taxonomic classification of the species of Dendrobium.