Micromorphology of endemic Centaurea glaberrima subsp. divergens (Asteraceae)

In this study, the micromorphology of the vegetative and reproductive structures of the endemic Centaurea glaberrima Tausch subsp. divergens (Vis.) Hayek (Asteraceae), using scanning electron microscope (SEM), is presented for the first time. Uniseriate whip-like non-glandular and biseriate glandular trichomes are found on the surface of all aboveground parts (stem, leaves, peduncles, involucral bract). On the adaxial leaf epidermis ribbed thickenings (striation pattern) of outer periclinal cell walls, slightly curved anticlinal cell walls and anomocytic stomata are noticed. Rugose abaxial surface with thorny protuberances of the involucral bract is documented. Corolla is glabrous with longitudinally parallel epidermal cells with distinct straight outline. Isopolar, radially symmetric and tricolporate microechinate pollen grains are seen. Short stylar hairs, without cuticular striations, are present along the outer sides of the style, while the inner sides (abaxial surface) constitute the papillate stigmatic surface. Microcharacters found in cypsela are as follows: slightly ribbed body; rotund base; lateral and concave insertion; short, unicellular curly acute trichomes; smooth epidermis; fine-sulcate ornamentation; rod shaped epidermal cells with short, obtuse end walls and straight anticlinal walls; poorly developed minutely dentate pericarp rim; and dimorphic pappus with bristles of different length and morphology, with pinnules restricted to the margins of the bristles. The results obtained contribute to knowledge about the micromorphology of the studied endemic species and provide features for its better identification. The taxonomic significance of the analyzed characters is discussed. Some well defined microcharacters of the studied species might have taxonomic value

Micromorphology of an involucral bract and cypselae of the endemic and relict species Amphoricarpos elegans Albov (Asteraceae, Cardueae) from the Caucasus

In this study, micromorphology of an involucral bract and inner and outer dimorphic cypselae of the relict Amphoricarpos elegans, endemic from western Caucasus, is examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and presented here for the first time. The middle involucral bract is nearly glabrous, with a reticulate-rugulose surface and an oblong-obtusate mucro. Both cypselae exhibit similar features, viz., narrowly oblong-cylindrical or obovate shape with more or less conspicuous longitudinal ribs, an adaxial detachment area, an asymmetrical carpopodium, absence of a pericarp crown and a barbate-aristate pappus made up of narrow, subulate, basally smooth and apically barbate bristles. However, some differences are evident. The outer cypsela is glabrescent and flattened, with an obscure outline of epidermal cells lacking an end wall and with a sunken periclinal surface and striatereticulate structure. Also, the outer cypsela has two entire, narrow, lateral wings, rounded above; and less numerous pappus bristles in one row. In contrast to this, the inner cypsela has a distinct outline of the epidermal cells, which are rod-shaped with a short acute end wall, a swollen periclinal surface and reticulate structure. The pappus of the inner cypsela possesses many more bristles organised in two rows (a biseriate pappus). Also, slightly pentagonal or round nectary remnants are found in the centre of the upper part of the inner cypsela. The taxonomic value of the analysed characters is briefly discussed.

Morphometry and Distribution of Senecio Nemorensis agg. Species (Asteraceae) in Poland

A morphometric analysis based on 316 herbarium specimens of Senecio nemorensis agg. indicated the occurrence of the following four species in Poland: S. germanicus Wallr., S. hercynicus Herborg, S. ovatus (G. Gaertn. et al.) Willd. and S. ucranicus Hodálová. Principal component analysis (PCA), analysis of variance (ANOVA)/Kruskal-Wallis test and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) were applied. Quantitative characters such as supplementary bract length, leaf base width, ligule length and the supplementary/involucral bract length ratio clearly discriminated taxa within S. nemorensis agg. Included is a distribution map of the investigated species based on the examined material, with particular emphasis on the course of the northeastern boundary of S. hercynicus and the northwestern boundary of S. ucranicus. Also given is a determination key for species within S. nemorensis agg. in Poland, together with morphological descriptions of particular species

A numerical taxonomic study of Armeria maritima (Plumbaginaceae) in North America and Greenland

Principal components analysis, discriminant analysis, cluster analysis and two level nested analysis of variance were performed on 961 herbarium specimens of Armeria maritima covering the complete geographic range of the species in North America and Greenland. Among the monomorphic, self-compatible specimens combining coarsely reticulate pollen and papillous stigma, we recognized three subspecies. Along the Pacific coast from California to Vancouver Island, the single taxon ssp. californica is proposed, which includes the formerly described var. purpurea. In arctic and subarctic regions, ssp. sibirica, which includes var. labradorica, and ssp. interior are recognized as distinct entities. The latter has a restricted distribution and can be easily distinguished morphologically owing to its glabrous calyces. The morphological variation between ssp. californica and ssp. sibirica is continuous and some overlap occurs. The best diagnostic characters are two ratios: sheath length to flower head width and outer involucral bract length to flower head width. Geographic trends are obvious: a reduction in plant size with increasing latitude and an increase in frequency from west to east of hairy scapes and holotrichous calyces. The dimorphic and self-incompatible ssp. maritima is maintained because of its distinct breeding system (papillate stigma associated with finely reticulate pollen and smooth stigma associated with coarsely reticulate pollen). Subspecies maritima is only found in south Greenland and some specimens are morphologically similar to eastern monomorphic plants. Key words: Armeria maritima, North America, numerical taxonomy.

Floral Initiation and Development in Helipterum roseum (Hook.) Benth. And Helichrysum bracteatum (Vent.) Andrews (Asteraceae)

Floral initiation and development in Helichrysum bracteatum and Helipterum roseum were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The sequence of events in these two species was similar and occurred rapidly. Seven stages in apical development were identified, which were distinctive in both appearance and size. Stage 1 was a small vegetative meristem with 2-4 leaf primordia. Stage 2 (also vegetative) was characterized by a doubling in both height and diameter. A doming of the apical meristem signified the commencement of stage 3, and at the appearance of the first involucral bracts (stage 4) the apex had further tripled in height and doubled in diameter. This was followed by the appearance of floret primordia (stage 5). By the time the inflorescence buds were visible to the naked eye (stage 6) several rows of florets were present, and at anthesis (stage 7) the capitulum was covered with florets. During the transition from stage 4 to stage 5 a few developing primordia appeared to divide. The lower portion developed into a small involucral bract and the upper portion into a floret. The florets developed centripetally such that a range of developmental stages was present on the capitulum. The development of the individual florets involved the differentiation of perianth, anther, pistil and pappus hairs. Stage 4 was considered the point at which the apex was committed to flower.