Anatomical study of stems for some Torilis Adans. species (Apiaceae) in Iraq

Abstract

The study included the anatomical characteristics of four species stems belonging the genus Torilis of the (Apiaceae family), which were T. arvensis , T. leptocarpa , T. leptophylla and T.nodosa the specimens were collected from different places in the mountainous region, and the upper plains and foothills region of (Phyto districts of Iraq). The results showed variations in the shapes of the cross-sections of the stems of the species, the stems were covered by a wavy and uneven layer of cuticle, its thickness ranged between 7-12 micrometers, and the epidermis was one row of cells, oval to ellipsoid in shape. The cortex consisted of three layers, the first layer consisting of thick-walled angular collenchyma cells, grouped in bundles, their number ranged between 12-15, and the second layer consisting of interrupted rows of parenchyma cells spherical, oval, elongated, or ellipsoidal to Irregular, varied in number of rows in species, ranged between 2-5 row. While the third layer consisted of a continuous ring of lacunar collenchyma, the number of rows ranged from 1-3, ovoid to sub ovoid to elliptic.