EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY OF ACACIA-CAVEN (LEGUMINOSAE, MIMOSOIDEAE) - INFRASPECIFIC VARIATION IN FRUIT AND SEED CHARACTERS

Six varieties are recognized in Acacia caven (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae; Acacia subg. Acacia, subsection Polyseriae), based on herbarium studies of vegetative characters, population-level studies of fruit and seed characters, and a map of the species' distribution and morphological variation patterns in southern South America. Two new varieties are described. Ecological and evolutionary aspects of carpological variations are discussed, and a framework is established for further studies in this and related species.