Morphological, anatomical and palynological characteristics of Salvia halophila endemic to Turkey

Abstract

Salvia halophila Hedge (Lamiacae) is an endemic plant species of the Irano-Turanian phytogeographic region. It grows in salt steppes of central Anatolia. Morphological and anatomical features of the plant is examined in this Study. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to describe the morphology of pollen and trichomes. Salvia halophila pollen is shown to be hexacolpate and mostly prolate. The exine is perforated and distictly bireticulate with prominent muri. Morphological characters such as +/- fleshy leaves, shapes of leaves and calyx, bracts, corolla and type of stamens (B type) are helpful to distinguish species of Salvia. In addition, anatomical characters Such as trichome features, crystals, mesophyll structure and vascular bundles in leaves and petioles provide information of taxonomic significance.