Numerical Classification Study of Species for Genus Scorzonera L. Asteraceae (Compositae) in Iraq

Most studies in taxonomy try to consider some characteristics or traits more important than others in classifying certain groups of organisms and then classification under these tests is more art than science and is influenced by the personal opinions of researchers.

The genus Scorzonera L. was treated mathematically and polygonal shapes were drawn based on the morphological and anatomical characteristics and pollen study.

The similarity percentages between species were calculated and a dendrogram was drawn linking the species of the genus spread in Iraq. The results showed that the lowest similarity percentage was between the two species S. latifolia and S. papposa and reached 20.47%, while the highest similarity percentage was between the two varieties S. cana var. jacquiniana and S. cana var. radicosa and reached 80.95%. All species were linked as one unit at a similarity percentage of 36.90%.