The aim of this study was to identify distinct morphological characters that may group similar plants in populations of "baru" (Dipteryx alata Vog.). Sixty three plants were marked in Goiás and Minas Gerais States, of which 20 fruits and seeds were evaluated, collected from the ground in 1994 and 1995. The following measurements were taken: weight, length, width and dimension of fruits and its respective seeds, and color of seed tegument. Analysis of principal components and cluster analysis were performed. Variances between plants were observed but not within plants. The analysis of principal components showed continuous spatial distribution of the data. The first two components explained 75% and 80% of total variance of morphological characters in 1994 and 1995, respectively. All variables were important for discrimination of groups. The configurations of four to six groups were consistent for both years. Less than half of trees remained in the same group in both years. This shows that fruit and seeds may have annual variation for morphological characters, though exceptions were observed. Distinct grouping indicates presence of genetic variability within material collected.
cluster; drupe; fruit size; fruit dimension; savanna
