Comparative Micromorphological and Anatomical Investigations on the Subsection Distantes R. Bhattacharjee (Stachys L./Lamiaceae)

In this study; comparative anatomical and micromorphological studies were performed on the subsection Distantes of the Stachys L. genus (Lamiaceae). Also, it was determined distinctive anatomical characters for the taxa of subsection in the study. In anatomical studies, free-hand cross-sections and the paraffin embedding method was applied with the microtome. Micromorphological studies were performed in LM (Light Microscope) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope). In anatomical studies, besides of similarities in stem and leaf structures there were also some differences in taxa. In micromorphological studies, the trichome and nutlet characteristics were found to be useful characters on taxa and at species and subspecies level. As a result of the study, the presence of sclerenchyma like a bundle in the stem structure and the presence and types of glandular trichomes and ornamentation on the surface of nutlet, the presence of the wing and ventral structure in the nutlet were important characters that can be used to distinguish taxa. According to the numerical findings, trichome and nutlet micromorphological characters were more important than anatomical characters.