ANATOMICAL AND MICROMORPHOLOGICAL DIFFERENTIATION IN THE GENUS MOLTKIA LEHM IN TURKEY

Abstract

The genus Moltkia Lehm., is represented by Moltkia coerulea (Willd.) Lehm., and Moltkia aurea Boiss in Turkey. The aim of this study is to determine the anatomical and micromorphological characteristics of the 2 species, and to compare these features with each other. For the anatomical studies, transverse sections of stem and leaves, and the surface sections of leaves were studied. For the micromorphological studies, the pollens were examined using light and scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the nutlets were examined using stereo-microscope and SEM. After the studies, it was pointed out that they are very distinct from each other in terms of the anatomical and micromorphological features. According to the results obtained from anatomical studies, there are lots of differences between the two species considering the structure of the cortex, vascular cambium and endodermis of the stems. The vasculer bundle and upper and lower surface of the leaves are also noticeably different in 2 species. The 2 taxa are also readily distinguishable in terms of the pollen characteristics such as pollen shape, the outline in equatorial and polar view, polarity, aperture type and distribution and tectum ornamentation. In addition, while the nutlet shape is similar in the taxa, its surface is verrucate in M. coerulea, but tuberculate in M. aurea.