Seed Morphology variation in Silene cyri (Caryophyllaceae) at the population level in Iran

Silene sect. Otites is represented by 2 species in the Flora Iranica area and Iran. In this study seed micromorphological is investigated by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to variation of three populations of Silene cyri evaluation its taxonomic importance. The mature seeds were collected from natural habitats. 18 quantitative and qualitative seed micromorphological features were measured based on micrographs of three studied populations. The studied populations shows low differences in some characters, especially in seed shape, the shape of testa cells, the situation of dorsal face, the form of testa cell edge and the seeds dimension. The shape of seeds are symmetrical reniform in Niala and Damavand populations, while it is orbicular reniform in Ashkhaneh population. The dimension of seeds varies from 1.31 × 0.67 mm. in Damavand population to 1.36 × 0.79 mm. in Niala population. The seeds of Ashkhaneh and Niala populations are concave in dorsal surface, while it is flat in Damavand population. The lateral surface of all populations is concave. The shape of testa cells is fusiform in Damavand and Ashkhaneh populations, while it is elliptic in Niala population. The edge of seed coat cells is U form in Damavand population, but U and V form are observed in Niala and Ashkhaneh populations. There is no sculpture on the surface of seed testa cells of any populations. According to the results, seed micromorphology features have low significance in distinction of S. cyri populations

Keywords:

Seed micromorphology , Scanning Electron Microscope , Seed , Silene cyri