DNA fingerprinting and terpenoid analysis of Juniperus blancoi var. huehuentensis (Cupressaceae), a new subalpine variety from Durango, Mexico

During a survey of the flora of the Mexican state of Durango, a subalpine, shrubby–prostrate form of Juniperus blancoi Martinez was discovered on the summit of Cerro Huehuento. A comparison among populations of J. blancoi growing in different environments indicate that this subalpine taxon is differentiated in its morphology and RAPD DNA banding from J. blancoi populations growing at lower elevations. A new variety is recognized, J. blancoi Mart. var. huehuentensis R. P. Adams, S. González and M. González Elizondo. In addition to being shrubby–prostrate in habit, J. blancoi var. huehuentensis has the female cones attached to the lower sides of planate branchlets. A comparison of the leaf essential oils of Juniperus scopulorum, Juniperus mucronata, J. blancoi and J. blancoi var. huehuentensis revealed that the oil of var. huehuentensis exhibited few differences from typical J. blancoi.