Morphotaxonomy and Genetic diversity of different Oxalis species in Jharkhand, India

Abstract

The present study deals with the genetic diversity and morphological distribution within a population of Oxalis which are commonly grown in Jharkhand. Five species, namely Oxalis corniculata, Oxalis latifolia, Oxalis debilis, Oxalis triangularis (herbaceous plants) , and Averrhoa carambola (a tree species) , have been considered in the present study. The external morphology of Oxalis corniculata includes a trailing stem, rooting at the nodes, and a tap root, while the three herbaceous species are colonial, stoloniferous, and bulbous, lacking upright stems. Genetic diversity was analyzed using AFLP marker (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) , revealing high genetic variation among the species. Results showed that Oxalis latifolia and Oxalis triangularis are closely related, whereas Averrhoa carambola is genetically distinct. This study highlights how genetic diversity and morphological traits are interconnected, providing insights into plant adaptation and evolution. The findings have implications for local biodiversity conservation and management.