Variability of morphological traits of Salvia canescens (Lamiaceae) in natural populations of Dagestan, Russia

Aim . Study of the structure of intra‐ and interpopulation variability of Salvia canescens C.A. Mey. along an altitudinal gradient. Material and Methods . To study the morphological traits of Salvia canescens, a generative shoot was used as a «module». In four geographically isolated populations of the species, one generative shoot from 30 individuals was taken. 11 signs were taken into account on the shoots. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was carried out using the Statistica 5.5 program. The levels of variation were assessed according to G.M. Zaitsev. Results . The structure of intra‐ and interpopulation variability of S. canescens, a characteristic representative of mountain‐xerophyte vegetation and an endemic of the Greater Caucasus, was studied. According to the data obtained, the mean values of most of the studied traits of S. canescens increase with altitude. The variability of the studied traits of the species, both intra‐ and interpopulation, has an average and high levels. Most of the traits of S. canescens are positively correlated with each other at the p≤0.05 level. All traits, except for the number of internodes and leaves, are in a positive significant correlation (p≤0.001; p≤0.01) with height above sea level. The results of one‐way ANOVA and regression analyses showed significant differences between populations for most traits of the generative shoot. The maximum differentiation of populations was noted according to the traits «mass of stems» and «mass of inflorescences». Conclusions . The intra‐ and interpopulation variability of the morphological traits of Salvia canescens revealed along the altitudinal gradient is due to the ecological conditions of the species' habitat. The variability of the traits and the increase in the parameters of the generative sphere reflect the adaptation of the species along the altitudinal gradient.