Five populations of Oncidium varicosum Lindl. (Orchidaceae - Oncidiinae) collected in Minas Gerais at Alfenas (AL), Estiva (ES), Pouso Alegre (PA), Pedra do Coração (PC) and Pedra Branca (PB), were examined with the aim of studying the intraspecific genetic variability. Twenty-two floral characters were measured from vouchers, using univariate and multivariate statistical methods (canonical discriminant analysis - CDA and cluster analysis using Mahalanobis distance). Significant differences (p < 0,05) among populations, by the F test, were observed for 13 characters. The first canonical axis separated population AL from PB and PC. The PA individuals are smaller than those of PC, which are smaller than those of PB. AL overlapped PA, ES and PC by the first axis, but was completely separated from PA and almost totally from the other populations according to the second canonical axis, for presenting characteristics such as longer and thicker columns, longer and narrower lateral sepals and shorter ovaries. According to the cluster analysis, AL diverged again from the other populations. Populations ES, PC and PB are closer to each other, followed by PA. The pattern of genetic variability observed does not seem to be related to different latitudes. However, it seems to be associated to longitudinal differences, although this single factor may not be enough to explain this pattern.
Orchidaceae; Oncidium varicosum; morphometric analysis; genetic variability; multivariate analysis
