Anatomical, Palynological and Biochemical Studies on Gundelia dersim Vitek, Yüce & Ergin(Asteraceae) an Endemic of Turkey

The Asteraceae family is the largest in the plant kingdom in the world. Gundelia is agenus that belongs to this family and is commonly referred to as the kenger name in Anatolia. Gundeliadersim is also an endemic species defined from Eastern Anatolia. In this study, anatomical,palynological and biochemical properties of G. dersim were discussed. When the anatomical structureof G. dersim was examined, it was seen that the mesophyll type, in which the midrib of the leaf wasdeveloped, was unifacial. There are too many sclerenchymatic cells in the vascular bundles. In addition,laticifer elements were seen on the stem and leaf. Also, it was observed that the pollen of the species isin echinate ornamentation and pollen grains are radial symmetrical, isopolar, tricolporate. Followingbiochemical analysis, pigment analysis, total carbohydrate and lipid peroxidation were performed. Thechlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content of the species in both stem and leaf were analyzed, and the mostchlorophyll content was found in the leaf. With this research, for the first time, a detailed anatomicalinvestigation was conducted on the genus Gundelia, and it is a current view with the first considerationof the anatomical, palynological and biochemical aspects of G. dersim.