Investigation of Anatomical, Ecological and Trichome Morphological Features of Two Endemic Symphytum Species

Abstract

In this study, anatomical, ecological and trichome morphology features of Symphytum bornmuelleri andSymphytum aintabicum were compared and identified their valuable features taxonomically. S. bornmuelleri andS. aintabicum are endemic Euxine and East Mediterranean element of Turkey respectively, and have limiteddistribution. Anatomical investigations of species were made using light and stereo-microscopes. In anatomicalinvestigaions, the cross-sections were taken from root, stem and leaves of species, and the surface-sections weretaken from upper and lower surfaces of leaves. S. bornmuelleri and S. aintabicum have bifacial leaves in terms ofmesophyll structure. Stomata were observed on both upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. Stomata areanomocytic type in S. bornmuelleri, while stomata were anomocytic and anisocytic types in S. aintabicum. Straightand hooked eglandular trichomes in different sizes and capitate glandular trichomes with different number of stalkcells and head part were seen on vegetative and generative organs. The number of layers of collenchyma andparenchyma in the stem cortex, the number of layer of sclerenchyma between the vascular bundles, the status ofthe vascular bundles, the arrangement of collenchyma and paranchyma layers in stem cortex, the density ofmicropapilla in the cuticle, the density of papillae in the epiderma, stoma index, stoma types, the margin structureof epiderma cells and number of stalk cell and head structure of capitate trichomes were detected very valuable asdistinguishing anatomical characters. Soil samples were taken during flowering periods of these species and thephysical and chemical properties of soil samples were determined. The species depict a distribution on the soilcontaining clayey-loamy, loamy, saltless, slightly alkaline, medium degree calcareous, rich in organic matter,nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.