Energy dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy technique as a taxonomic indicator in the classification of <i>Klanchoe blossfeldiana</i> Poelln. cultivars

Determining elemental mapping in living plant samples using the energy–dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy technique (SEM-EDS) can be used as an indicator to solve classification problems among closely related taxonomic ranks, such as cultivars and other intraspecific categories. Four cultivars of Klanchoe blossfeldiana Poelln.: K. blossfeldiana Clandiva Monro ( white petals), K. blossfeldiana Clandiva Hayworth (red petals), K. blossfeldiana Clandiva Fonda ( yellow petals ), and K. blossfeldiana Clandiva Bardot (orange petals) were investigated by ( SEM – EDS ) to explain element distribution in relation to petals colour to find out similarities and differences among these cultivars. All the investigated elements were common in all studied cultivars' petals except ( Al3+) ; ( Si3+) ; ( Ni2+ ) were absent in some studied cultivars and present in the others . Scanning electron microscope (SEM) Microphotograph of four K. blossfeldiana Cultivars petals showed different patterns from layer composition of zigzag form and very fine structures in K. blossfeldiana Clandiva Monro to regular composition of circular grooves and chains of luminous white structures of irregular thickness in K. blossfeldiana Clandiva Hayworth, and white Y-shaped structures appeared higher than grey ones in K. blossfeldiana Clandiva Fonda and K. blossfeldiana Clandiva Bardot, which had orange petals showing slightly zigzag structures with light gray to white in color, and irregular-shaped small structures. This research highlights the possibility of using elemental mapping and linking it with petal colour traits in plant classification.