Population structure of Potentilla bifurca L. in the Altai-Sayan Mountain Region

Pollen characters were analyzed in 16 cenopopulations of Potentilla bifurca L. in five provinces of the Altai-Sayan Mountain Region. As a result, two groups of cenopopulations, western and eastern, have been recognized. Both groups are characterized by a high intrapopulation (44.7–63.9%) and a lower interpopulation (11.4–42.2%) variability. The observed similarity between groups of cenopopulations of P. bifurca from different geobotanical provinces is determined by their common origin from the Pliocene-Pleistocene steppe communities.