Intraspecific variability of leaf cuticle alkanes in Sedum lanceolatum along an elevational gradient

Characterization of variability patterns in leaf n -alkanes isolated from Sedum lanceolatum field populations indicates little correlation with elevation gradients. Inherent variability is better explained by genetic constitution than phenotypic plasticity, thus suggesting that leaf wax samples isolated from field-collected specimens are suitable for use in elucidation of systematic relationships.