Evaluation of seed and leaf epidermis characters in the taxonomy of some annual species of the genus Papaver L. (Papaveraceae)
4 December 2015
Tavakkoli, Zahra; Assadi, MostafaAbstract
In this investigation, morphological, leaf epidermal and seed micromorphological characters of 19 taxa of annual Papaver L. species were examined. These taxa belonging to the sections Papaver, Carinatae Fedde and Rhoeadium Spach were studied by stereomicroscopy and light and scanning electron microscopy. Based on these studies P. lacerum Popov is regarded as a synonymy of P. commutatum Fisch. & C. A. Mey. Synonymy of P. piptostigma Bienert ex Fedde, P. halophilum (Fedde) Cullen and P. tubuliferum Fedde with P. macrostomum Boiss. et Huet ex Boiss. var. macrostomum is improved. P. gaubae Cullen & Rech. f. and P. bipinnatum C. A. Mey. are included into the synonymy list of P. glaucum Boiss. et Hausskn. and P. arenarium M.-Bieb. respectively. P. chelidoniifolium Fisch. & C. A. Mey. var. pinnatum Tavakkoli & Assadi from Gilan province is described as a new variety; P. rhoeas L. var. strigosum Boenn. and var. glabrum Fedde and P. commutatum subsp. euxinum Kadereit are introduced as new records to Iran. In this study, some qualitative and quantitative characters of seeds (e. g. seed size, cells ornamentations) were studied. Among the studied taxa, the coat pattern of seed testa cells and epidermal cells shape have more variation. Granulate type of testa sculpturing is more common and other types are presented by one or two species. Most of taxa have also broadly similar leaf epidermal characteristics. As a result, variation of seed morphological characters and its taxonomic value are significant in delimitation of the taxa in specific and infraspecific levels whereas leaf epidermis morphology is more useful in separation of taxa within species except for few cases. Additionally, seed characteristics variation and their phylogenetic importance are discussed.