Pollen and Seed Morphology of the Genus Hesperis L. (Brassicaceae) in Turkey

Authors: MÜNEVVER PINAR, AHMET DURAN, TALİP ÇETER, G. NİLHAN TUĞ

Abstract: Pollen and seed morphology were examined in 35 specimens representing 25 Turkish species of the taxonomically complex genus Hesperis L. by light and scanning electron microscopes. Three main types and 2 subtypes were recognized based on the seed coat surface, pollen shape, and exine sculpturing. The seed coat ornamentation of Type I was ocellate, and pollen shape was oblate-spheroidal. While Type II was represented by reticulate seed coat and prolate-spheroidal pollen shape, Type III had tuberculate seed coat. This study revealed that both palynological and seed morphological characters are of significant importance in the taxonomy of the genus.

Keywords: Cruciferae, Hesperis, morphology, pollen, seed, Turkey

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