راضیه زارعی - PhD Student, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
ولی اله مظفریان - : Research Prof., Department of Botany, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, IR-۱۳۱۸۵-۱۱۶, Tehran, Iran
منصور افشار محمدیان - Associate Prof., Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Guilan, P.O. Box ۴۱۳۳۵-۱۹۱۴ Rasht, Iran

The seed morphology of ۱۵ species of Prangos (Apiaceae) from Iran has been examined using light and scanning electron microscopies. Macro- and micromorphological features, including seed shape, color, size, epidermal cell shape, anticlinal boundaries, outer periclinal cell wall, and characteristics of outer cell walls have been investigated. Based on epidermal cell size, cell arrangement, cell anticlinal and periclinal walls; three types of anticlinal cell wall boundaries were recognized. The study showed that, the seed coat ornamentation pattern could be helpful in identification of species. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare external seed morphological characteristics of Prangos species and to evaluate their possible use for taxonomic considerations. In addition, based on the seed exomorphic criteria extracted from LM and SEM, an artificial key to the species of the genus is provided.

Apiaceae, Apioideae, micromorphology, Seed coat, SEM, Ulopterae