Image Processing Analysis of Plant Morphometry with Examples from the Genus Sedum (Crassulaceae)

TL;DR

This paper introduces an image processing method to measure plant morphology in the genus Sedum, improving classification accuracy in field conditions.

Contribution

A digitized, adaptable measurement system for plant morphometry that avoids sample damage and supports statistical analysis.

Findings

The method uses pixel/millimeter ratios to create scalable measurement systems for taxome analysis.

The approach was successfully applied to analyze flowers of native Sedum species in Romania.

The technique complements traditional taxonomy by enabling accurate field-based morphological data collection.

Abstract

The complex systematics of the genus Sedum, the difficulties of its classification and the ambiguity of the concrete identification of the taxa brought about the need to implement a measurement system adaptable to field conditions, so as to facilitate the accuracy of data collection, avoiding the etiolation of samples and, therefore, the deterioration of the morphological structures subject to analysis. Thus, our study describes a digitization of the classic method of making measurements using millimeter paper, thus facilitating the subsequent statistical processing of quantifiable values. Depending on the number of pixels in the photos taken and the pixel/millimeter ratio, a variable measurement scale can be created depending on the size of the analyzed taxomes. The method used adds to the classic taxonomy, which is based on the analysis of morphological characteristics to determine the species of these succulent plants. The applicability of our method is shown by means of the example of an analysis performed on the flowers of the native species of the genus Sedum in the territory of Romania.

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