Morphological, anatomical and palynological studies on Helichrysum plicatum DC. subsp. plicatum DC. and Helichrysum plicatum DC. subsp. polyphyllum (Ledeb.) (Asteraceae).

Abstract

In this study, Helichrysum plicatum subsp. plicatum and Helichrysum plicatum subsp. polyphyllum (Asteraceae) represented in the genus Helichrysum were investigated for the taxonomical purposes. The specimens belonging to both taxa were collected different locations from Turkey and investigated in view of morphological, morphometrical, anatomical and palynological features to determine the similarity and differences between two taxa. Anatomical studies were carried out on the stem and root characters with the Light microscope and illustrated. Pollen features of both taxa were observed with the Light and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Both taxa were found different in length of internodes, cauline leaves leaf apices, phyllaries apices, phyllaries shapes of the upper and the lower facial hairs features from each others. The plants have woody root anatomy and the stem is herbaceous. The pollen type of both taxa were determined as tricolporate, Helichrysum plicatum subsp. plicatum pollen shape was spheroidal as Helichrysum plicatum subsp. polyphyllum pollen shape was oblatespheroidal and reticulate pollen ornemantation was observed. Consequently, there are some morphological, morphometrical and palynological differences in both taxa, however, no significant differences were determined in view of anatomical features. The findings obtained from the study were discussed with each other and the genus patterns.