Phenotypic and Phytochemical Diversity among Different Accessions of Gijavash (Froriepia subpinnata (Ledeb.) Baill.: An Endemic Medicinal Plant Grown in Iran

Froriepia subpinnata is an endemic endangered medicinal plant growing indigenous to Caspian coast forest in the north of Iran. This research was done to obtain primary information on morphological and phytochemical variation for the next step of domesticating and breeding of this plant. Twenty-three morphological traits measured indicated high variation among 52 accessions. There was a significant positive correlation between leaf dimension, plant height, and attributes related to biomass data. The range of phytochemical attributes analyzed was for total phenols (355.6-941.3 mg GAE 100 g-1 FW), total flavonoids (204.33-540.74 mg CAT 100 g-1 FW), total carotenoids (1.52 to 3.15 μg 100g-1 FW) and antioxidant capacity (31.36-81.82 DPPH%.). The HPLC analysis results showed that chlorogenic acid was the dominant phenolic compound generally found in this plant. Total carotenoids had no significant correlation with other biochemical traits, while the rest exhibited a linear relationship with each other. UPGMA cluster based on combined data of morphological and biochemical traits showed 3 distinct groups with high inter and intra-regional variations. Also, these information were combined with molecular data to separate environment and genetic effects. The high level of variation of phytochemical and morphological traits among and within populations could be a useful tool for future breeding and selection programs.