Fruit morphology of the genus Potamogeton L. in Kashmir Himalaya and its utility in taxonomic delimitation

Abstract

The fruit morphology of eight species of the genus Potamogeton L. in Kashmir Himalaya was examined, using stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, in order to determine their utility in taxonomic delimitation. During the study, both macro- and micromorphological characters, including the fruit shape, size, color, and nature of the fruit beak, were investigated. The results reveal that the broad- and linear-leaved species have keeled fruits, whereas in filiform-leaved species the dorsal and lateral keels are either absent or obscure. The present study clearly shows the potential utility of fruit features as delimiting characters in order to distinguish different species of the genus Potamogeton in this Himalayan region.