Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Type: Article
Published: 2016-02-17
Page range: 1–26
Abstract views: 18
PDF downloaded: 1

Studies on the achene morphology of Turkish species of Scorzonera L. (Asteraceae) using light and scanning electron microscopy

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Karadeniz Technical University TR-61080 Trabzon, Turkey
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, TR-53100 Rize, Turkey
Pazar Vocational School, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, TR-53300 Pazar / Rize, Turkey
Cichorieae Fruit morphology Podospermum Pseudopodospermum SEM Taxonomy Eudicots

Abstract

Macro- and micromorphological features of achenes belonging to 59 taxa from Turkey were observed via light and scanning electron microscopy. The findings agree with the traditional subdivision of Scorzonera into S. subg. Scorzonera, S. subg. Podospermum and S. subg. Pseudopodospermum. Members of S. subg. Podospermum were distinguished by achenes with a distinct carpopodium and horizontally striped epidermal cell surface; members of S. subg. Pseudopodospermum were distinguished by achenes with a conspicuous carpopodium and often ruminate and sometimes rugose-granulate or smooth epidermal surface, and members of Scorzonera s.str were distinguished by achenes without a carpopodium and with various combinations of surface patterns. The results also showed that the length, pubescence and surface pattern of achenes, as well as the carpopodium and anticlinal and periclinal walls of the epidermal cells are valuable for delimiting the examined species within the genus.