Abstract
AbstractNutlets of 31 taxa of Stachys (29 species and two subspecies), representing nine of the currently recognized sections and one species of the closely related genus Sideritis (S. montana) distributed in Iran were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. The basic shape of nutlets in most taxa studied is ovate, but rounded; broad ovate, oval, triangular and oblong can also be found in few species. Regarding sculpturing pattern of nutlet surface seven basic types can be distinguished: reticulate, colliculate, scalariform, verrucate, ruminate, foveate and rugose. The reticulate type is the most common among the studied species, but the variation in alignment, size and shape of its composing cells provide further evidence that are useful as diagnostic characteristics. However, the type of sculpturing is more useful for separating species within the sections, rather than correlating the related ones to each other. For example in sect. Eriostemum, five species known in Iran, show four different types of sculpturing. However, nutlet microsculpturing is not useful in separating large natural groups like sections in this genus. It seems also that contrary to other genera of Lamiaceae, nutlet characters are of low phylogenetic value in this genus, especially due to high variation even among closely related species. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
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