Micromorphological and anatomical investigations on cypselas of 17 Cirsium sect. Epitrachys (Asteraceae, Carduoideae) taxa from Turkey
28 September 2017
OZCAN, MelahatCirsium Miller, one of the largest genera of the family Asteraceae (Carduoideae), contains more than 250 taxa. Turkey is one of the gene centers and according to recent studies this genus is represented by 80 taxa in Turkey. In the present study, cypsela morphologies, micromorphologies and anatomical structures of 17 Epitrachys taxa distributed NE Anatolia and 2 different regions of Turkey were characterized in detail by using stereomicroscope, light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Cypsela shapes were found as obovate to narrowly oblong or rarely oblanceolate. Based on SEM characters, six cypselas surface ornamentation types were determined. Pericarp anatomical structures were described, as well as the structure of testa. Crystal formations were observed in three taxa and secretory materials in mesocarp were evaluated. Data obtained from this study were compared the data present in literature. These results demonstrate that the compared fruit micromorphological and anatomical characters provide some evidences for delimitation of the taxa and can be used as taxonomic markers in their classifications.