Date of Award:

5-1-1955

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Biology

Department name when degree awarded

Taxonomic Botany

Committee Chair(s)

Arthur H. Holmgren

Committee

Arthur H. Holmgren

Committee

W. S. Boyle

Committee

E. J. Gardner

Committee

Leanard Jansen

Committee

Bliss Crandall

Abstract

The Montia perfoliata complex has long been an interest and puzzle to taxonomists. Even as early as 1893 a collection was "Sent from Cal. Acad., … , to show variation on a single hillside."* Various authors have lumped the complex into as few as one, and split it into as many as 18 species, not to mention the numerous varieties. Many field workers have noted the similarities and variation present, and the need for a study of the complex has been felt for some time. For these reasons, what might be considered a 'preliminary investigation' was undertaken to throw some light on the patterns of variation, the relationships within the complex, and to determine some of the factors which cause variation within the complex.

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