Seed Macro- And Micro-Morphology of Some Species Of Kickxia Dumort, Scrophularia L. And Plantago L. From Saudi Arabia

The seed macro- and micro-morphological characters of 13 species belonging to three genera; Kickxia Dumort, Scrophularia L. and Plantago L., collected from different localities of Saudi Arabia, were studied using a Stereomicroscope and Scanning Electron Microscope for evaluating their taxonomic relationships. Three macro-morphological characters of seeds were shape, size, and color while three diagnostic micromorphological characters were seed coat sculpture, the anticlinal and periclinal wall., The seed shape seems to be specific in Plantago L. (peltate, angled) than the two other genera while the color and seed size show little importance. The Plantago L. has a specific rugose sculpture while the other two genera have either tuberculate or alveolate. So Plantago L. was possessed no affinities to Kickxia Dumor or Scrophularia L.. This observation gives extra support to the earlier taxonomic views that suggested the retention of two genera in the traditional family Scrophulariaceae and maintaining Plantago L. in a separate monogeneric family Plantaginaceae Detailed analysis of seed characters of more species is needed to clarify the systematic relationships between the three genera. A key to the identification of studied species based on seed micro- and macro-morphological characters is provide. Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 28(2): 385-393, 2021 (December)

Pollen Morphological Investigations of Salvia L. In Southeastern of Turkey and Its Taxonomic Implication

In this study, the pollen morphology and exine structure of nine species of the genus Salvia L. (Lamiaceae) were investigated using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Six micromorphological characters (pollen shape, polar length, equatorial width, exine and intine thickness, colpus length and colpus width) of pollen grains of Salvia have been identified. The palynological observations revealed that pollen grains of most studied taxa of Salvia were suboblate shape and possess hekzacolpate aperture. Tectal surface sculpture was a good criterion to identify particular taxa from Salvia. The pollen of which is characterized by reticulate, the pollen ornamentation was similar in all studied taxa. Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 28(2): 395-403, 2021 (December)

Leaf epidermal micromorphology in Aspidistra (Asparagaceae): diversity and taxonomic significance

Micromorphological characters of leaf epidermis were investigated in 69 species of Aspidistra using scanning electron microscopy. Sculpture of epidermis varies from smooth to verrucose and rugose in the genus. The abaxial epidermis of some species bears papillae, whereas the adaxial surface uniformly lacks the papillae. Sculpture type of epidermis and density of papillae are generally found to be stable characters at a species level. The infraspecific variation of epidermis sculpture, where present, ranges from smooth to verrucose or from verrucose to rugose. Micromorphological characters of leaf epidermis are shown to have potential taxonomic significance in Aspidistra; in combination with the type of shoot structure, they allow to subdivide the species into 13 groups. The groups are largely incongruent with floral morphological traits. An identification key to the studied species of Aspidistra based on vegetative characters (gross leaf and shoot morphology and characters of leaf epidermis) is presented.

Variation and Phenetic Relationship of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) In Central Java and Yogyakarta Based on Morphological Characters

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is a plant used as a mixture of cigarettes, and recreational media especially for men. This study aimed to identify variations, and determine the relationship between tobacco cultivars in Central Java and Yogyakarta based on macromorphological and micromorphological characters. Sampling locations are determined by surveying locations in both regions. Tobacco samples found include 5 cultivars in Central Java namely 'Mantili', 'Uler Magetan', 'Garut', ‘Gober Boyolali’, 'Manila', and 3 cultivars in Yogyakarta namely 'Siluk', 'Java', and 'Virginia'. Characterization with 23 qualitative macromorphological characters including leaves, and stems, with 9 qualitative and quantitative micromorphological characters including trichome and stomata. Descriptive data analysis is done to obtain the typical character of each cultivar, followed by numerical analysis including scoring characters processed with MVSP (Multi Variate Statistical Package), clustering with UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Averages), and calculation of similarity coefficients with Simple matching formula. The results showed variations in the macromorphological characters including the shape of the leaf lamina, the base of the leaf, the absence of leaf stalks, and type of leaf venation. Tobacco has anisositic stomata, and varies in terms of length, width, and density of stomata. Tobacco trichomes are glandular. The result dendrograms form two clusters (A and B) with the similarity index of each cluster above 0.80. Cultivars with close relationships such as 'Siluk'-'Java', and far relationship like 'Java'-'Manila'.

A new record of the rare fungus Hericium erinaceus (Russulales) in Ukraine

A new locality of the rare fungus Hericium erinaceus, the species to be included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, is reported. The fungus was found in Odesa city, for the first time in the steppe zone of Ukraine. This species is an edible and biotechnologically valuable fungus. A description of the new locality and macro- and micromorphological characters of the found fruit bodies are provided. The information about its distribution in Ukraine and worldwide, as well as the original illustrations, are presented.

Ditiola haasii (Basidiomycota, Dacrymycetaceae)—taxonomy and ecology of a rare species from Central Europe

Ditiola haasii, a largely unknown member of the Dacrymycetes described from Germany, is documented in detail based on two specimens collected on Picea abies wood in the Boubínský prales virgin forest, Czech Republic. The work represents the first complete taxonomic/ecological investigation of the species since its original description. The morphology of the newly studied samples is evaluated to gain a better knowledge of intraspecific variation, and a phylogenetic analysis based on nrLSU data is provided to further confirm our identification and show the phylogenetic position of D. haasii within the Dacrymycetes. A comparison with similar species and those with which it has been confused is made and ecological details are provided based on our collections. Colour photographs of basidiomata and micromorphological characters are published. Ditiola haasii is currently documented by just six records worldwide, all of them from Central Europe.

Leaf epidermal micromorphology defining the clades in Cinnamomum (Lauraceae)

In this study, we sampled 48 species of Asian Cinnamomum covering the species groups that were identified in recent phylogenetic studies and conducted leaf micromorphological observations using both light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Synapomorphies were determined by means of mapping micromorphological characters on a phylogenetic tree. The results indicate that Cinnamomum exhibits two different types of leaf upper epidermis: Type I has smooth/non-reticulate periclinal walls whereas Type II has reticulate periclinal walls and is unusual in the family Lauraceae. We found that the two types of micromorphological characters are clade-specific, sect. Camphora s.s. possesses Type I leaf upper epidermis, and sect. Cinnamomum s.l. has Type II leaf upper epidermis. Our study also reveals that C. saxatile, a member of sect. Camphora s.l. in the traditional classification, actually has Type II leaf upper epidermis, thus reinforcing the result of a recent molecular phylogeny that has this species in a clade consisting mainly of species of sect. Cinnamomum.

Campanula oreodoxa (Campanulaceae), a new critically endangered species from the Aladagh Mountains, NE Iran

Campanula oreodoxa (Campanulaceae) is described and illustrated as a new sub-alpine species from North Khorassan province, Iran. The new species belongs to C. sect. Oreocodon based on dehiscence of the capsules with three middle pores at the base and absence of appendages between the calyx lobes. It is compared morphologically with the closely related species including C. hystricula and C. lourica. The micromorphological characters of seed coat and pollen grains of the new species are presented and compared with the chasmophytic allies in the area. Notes on distribution, habitat characterization, and the associated flora are provided. The new species is assessed as critically endangered (CR) and the conservation value of the habitats in the area is discussed.

Seed morphology of Portulaca (Portulacaceae) in Cuba and taxonomic implications

Portulaca is the only genus in Portulacaceae and includes ca. 115 species with worldwide distribution. 12 species (one naturalized) occur in Cuba. The taxonomic value of seeds characters for the circumscription of species, by comparing macro- and micromorphological characters, is analyzed. The seeds of Cuban purslanes do not present association patterns between types of undulations of the anticline walls. The relief of their periclinal walls allows the corroborate certain variation in the distribution range of some species. The delimitation of Portulaca species in Cuba using seeds characters, provided as an identification key and descriptions, confirms the taxonomic value of such characters and strengthens the circumscriptions supported by the rest of the plant structures. This is largely given by the standardization of macromorphological terms with a micromorphological basis, the color of the mature seeds and their dimensions.