Cypsela micromorphology and anatomy in Cirsium sect. Epitrachys (Asteraceae,Carduoideae) and its taxonomic implications |
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| Authors: | Melahat Ozcan |
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| Affiliation: | 1. http://orcid.org/0000‐0002‐2638‐3914;2. Artvin Coruh Univ., Dept of Forest Engineering, Faculty of Forestry, Artvin, Turkey |
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| Abstract: | Cirsium Miller, one of the largest genera of the Asteraceae (Carduoideae), contains more than 250 taxa. Turkey is one of its diversity centers and according to recent studies this genus is represented by 80 taxa. In the present study, cypsela morphologies, micromorphologies and anatomical structures of 17 C. sect. Epitrachys taxa distributed in Turkey are characterized in detail by using stereomicroscope, light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Cypselas are found to be obovate to narrowly oblong, or rarely oblanceolate. Based on SEM characters, six cypselas surface ornamentation types are identified, pericarp anatomical structures are described, as well as the structure of the testa. Crystal formations were observed in three taxa and secretory materials in the mesocarp were evaluated. Data obtained from this study are compared with previously published results and it is concluded that fruit micromorphological and anatomical characters are useful for the delimitation of taxa in Cirsium and may be useful for supraspecific classification. |
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