Abstract
In this study, morphological and anatomical features of two morphologically similar species (Iris peshmeniana Güner & T. Hall. and Iris aucheri (Baker) Sealy) within the Scorpiris Spach subgenus (Juno iris) of the genus Iris L. were determined and similarities and differences between the two species were discussed. Iris peshmeniana is endemic to Turkey and its spreading area is protected because of exctinction threat. Iris aucheri is not endemic to Turkey and it has a limited distribution in the country. The cross-sections from root, scape and leaves and surface-sections from leaves of species were taken. Anatomical and morphological evaluations of the collected and obtained samples revealed differences in plant size, leaf number, width and length, periant tube length, fall length, standard structure, capsule length and width, bract and bracteole structure, length of style branches and testa structure of seeds and in the number of exoderma and cortex layers, margin structure of cortex paranchyma cells, structure of the root center cylinder, xylem strand number, status micropapillae in lower epiderma, layer number of palisade and spongy parenchyma and status of sclerenchyma cap. Although there were some differences in morphological and anatomical features, based on similar anatomical and morphological features revealed in the present study, it has been suggested that I. peshmeniana may be a subspecies of I. aucheri.
Highlights
The genus Iris L. is a different and crowded group of Iridaceae family in Turkey (Mathew 1984)
Iris aucheri was collected in April 2014 from natural populations in Şanlıurfa (Karaca Mountain) and Gaziantep (Sof Mountain) provinces at an altitude of 1100-1200 m. asl
Iris peshmeniana was obtained from Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden and was collected from Malatya-Pötürge, Kubbe Passage of Şakşak Mountains at 1855 m. asl
Summary
The genus Iris L. is a different and crowded group of Iridaceae family in Turkey (Mathew 1984). Scorpiris is represented in Turkey with 10 naturally growing taxa of which 5 are endemic to the country (Güner 2012). The distributions of most Scorpiris members in Turkey are rather limited due to various reasons (ecological factors, fires, road and dam construction, human pressures, grazing, expansion of agriculture areas). I. aucheri is distributed only in the vicinity of Gaziantep and Diyarbakır. It is an endangered species because of dense dam and road constructions in this region and needs an urgent protection. I. peshmeniana is morphologically very similar to I. aucheri, The purpose of this study is to determine the similar and different morphological and anatomical features of the two species and to solve problems about them
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
