Anatomy, palynology and seed micromorphology of Turkish rare Verbascum racemiferum Boiss. & Hausskkn Ex Boiss. (Scrophulariaceae)

Abstract

Verbascum racemiferum Boiss. & Hausskkn ex Boiss. is a member of the Verbascum L. (Scrophulariaceae) genus known as "Sığırkuyruğu". It is an rare species that grows in Turkey which is a center of endemism for Verbascum species. In this study, the anatomical, palynological and seed micromorphological features of V. racemiferum, which is known to grow only in Mardin in the Southeastern Anatolia region, were investigated for the first time. In the root cross-section, the xylem elements occupy a considerable area. In the stem cross-section, the upper part of the epidermis cells is surrounded by a separate cuticle layer and the pith region covers a large area. The main vein of the leaf is shapped as collateral bundle. Idioblasts were observed in the leaves of V. racemiferum. Pollen grains of V. racemiferum are tricolporate-tricolpate, spheroidal; P/E ratio is 0.96 and exine ornamentation is reticulate. Seeds of V. racemiferum are brown and oblong-ovate to prismatic and alveolate. The apex is acute beak. The seed coat ornamentation is irregular polygonal cells, with densely and distinct vesicles. In addition, this study will be a reference to studies on the genus Verbascum.