9th Annual WML Academic Symposium

Presenter(s): Elizabeth Dean
Title: Morphological Variation Within the Hawaiian Endemic Tree Planchonella sandwicensis
Developed under the guidance of Dr. J. Christopher Havran , College of Arts & Sciences

Planchonella sandwicensis (Sapotaceae) is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Recent unpublished molecular phylogenetic research identifies two distinct entities in Hawaiian Planchonella. The most obvious morphological difference between the lineages appears to be fruit color: yellow or purple. Further research has been conducted over the last year analyzing the morphological features of the species in search of any other characteristics that may vary between the two entities. To complete this research, morphological aspects of herbarium specimens from Campbell University, the Swedish Museum of Natural History, and the National Tropical Botanical Garden were quantified and qualified.