Vanilla insignis Ames. (Orchidaceae): morphological variation of the labellum in Quintana Roo, Mexico

Abstract

The shape of the flower can vary based on the type of pollinator or the environment in which the plant develops. In Vanilla insignis, there are no studies that analyse the shape of the labellum of the flower as has been done in V. planifolia. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the variation in the shape of the labellum of V. insignis through a morphometric analysis in different environmental conditions in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. The results showed that there were significant differences in the variables analysed. Principal component analysis and dendrogram analysis reveal that four V. insignis morphotypes were possibly associated with soil water availability conditions because there were significant differences between the variables that define the apical region. In addition, the distribution of the morphotypes corresponded with the presence of humidity regardless of geographical distances such as in the populations of Tenampulco, Puebla and Caobas, Quintana Roo. The presence of these morphotypes allows the development of conservation programmes and genetic improvement of the species of V. insignis and related commercial species.