highly significantp < 0.001
A one-way MANOVA on five quantitative leaf traits (55 individuals: 15 Ilex lanceifolia , 20 Ilex xiaojinensis , 20 Ilex peiradena ) revealed a highly significant species effect (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.086, F 10,96 = 23.22, p < 0.001), confirming that the three species are morphologically distinct.