Investigation of Anatomical, Ecological and Trichome Morphological Features of Two Endemic Symphytum Species

Abstract

In this study, anatomical, ecological and trichome morphology features of Symphytum bornmuelleri and Symphytum aintabicum were compared and identified their valuable features taxonomically. S. bornmuelleri and S. aintabicum are endemic Euxine and East Mediterranean element of Turkey respectively, and have limited distribution. Anatomical investigations of species were made using light and stereo-microscopes. In anatomical investigaions, the cross-sections were taken from root, stem and leaves of species, and the surface-sections were taken from upper and lower surfaces of leaves. S. bornmuelleri and S. aintabicum have bifacial leaves in terms of mesophyll structure. Stomata were observed on both upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. Stomata are anomocytic type in S. bornmuelleri, while stomata were anomocytic and anisocytic types in S. aintabicum. Straight and hooked eglandular trichomes in different sizes and capitate glandular trichomes with different number of stalk cells and head part were seen on vegetative and generative organs. The number of layers of collenchyma and parenchyma in the stem cortex, the number of layer of sclerenchyma between the vascular bundles, the status of the vascular bundles, the arrangement of collenchyma and paranchyma layers in stem cortex, the density of micropapilla in the cuticle, the density of papillae in the epiderma, stoma index, stoma types, the margin structure of epiderma cells and number of stalk cell and head structure of capitate trichomes were detected very valuable as distinguishing anatomical characters. Soil samples were taken during flowering periods of these species and the physical and chemical properties of soil samples were determined. The species depict a distribution on the soil containing clayey-loamy, loamy, saltless, slightly alkaline, medium degree calcareous, rich in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.