Seed micromorphological characteristics in Ochradenus and Reseda and their taxonomic significance in Iran

Seed micromorphology of 16 taxa from Ochradenus and Reseda (Resedaceae) was examined using stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope. In the present study, three quantitative (length, width, and ratio of seed length/seed width) and 10 qualitative micromorphological characteristics (color, brightness, the situation of surface, the state of hilum, shape, coat pattern sculpture, outer epidermal cell shape, the characteristics of anticlinal and periclinal walls, and the presence or absence of carunculoid tissue) of seed were examined. Results showed that, seed quantitative characteristics varied among studied taxa. In addition, significant diversity was found in all qualitative characteristics (especially seed color with 11 states and its coat pattern sculpture with nine states). Dendrogram of seed micromorphological characteristics constructed four seed types and two subtypes as follows: type 1 or Ochradenus-Reseda type with two subtypes, type 2 or core section Reseda type, type 3 or Reseda-luteola type, and type 4 or derived Reseda type. Seed micromorphology characteristics evidence partly verified the taxonomical and phylogenetical situation of the taxa from the above-mentioned family in Iran.

Seed micromorphological characteristics in Ochradenus and Reseda and their taxonomic significance in Iran Keywords:

phylogeny , Resedaceae , Scanning Electron Microscope , seed sculpture , seed type , stereomicroscope