Morphological variation in rosette-forming plants (Hesperoyucca, Asparagaceae) along a latitudinal gradient of dry environments

The genus Hesperoyucca is native to North America. These plants are characterized by a rosette growth form with long, sword-like leaves. Each rosette typically completes its life cycle in about seven years, culminating in a single flowering event followed by senescence and death. However, multi-rosette individuals can reproduce multiple times and live longer. In the Baja California Peninsula (BCP), Mexico, Hesperoyucca spp. is distributed between latitudes 33° and 27°N, thriving in dry environments. These range from hot arid climate in the south and center to cold semiarid climates in the north. Populations grow at altitudes of 22 to 1,500 meters, typically on rocky, gently sloped soils. From 2021 to 2024, we measured 15 morphological traits in 181 adult plants across 22 sites. Traits related to rosettes, leaves, flower stalks, and panicles were recorded using a 5-meter measuring tape (±74 mm). Floral traits, including petals, pistils, and filaments, were assessed with a Mitutoyo digital caliper (±0.01 mm). This study investigates whether latitudinal gradient in the BCP drive morphological variation in Hesperoyucca spp. and explores the impact of specific environmental pressures within the region’s dry landscapes.The dataset Hesperoyucca_Morfo2024.csv provides comprehensive 2024 updates on 15 morphological traits, encompassing both vegetative and reproductive characteristics, for individuals of the genus Hesperoyucca in the Baja California Peninsula. In addition to the measurements, the dataset includes: the probable taxonomic classification of each individual, the site name, a unique locality identifier assigned by the research team, a plant-specific identifier, and precise georeferenced coordinates and the altitude for each plan.