Abstract
The nutlet morphology of 11 taxa of Mentha L. (M. pulegium, M. aquatica, M. × piperita, M. x dumetorum, M. spicata subsp. spicata, M. spicata subsp. tomentosa, M. × villoso-nervata, M. longifolia subsp. longifolia, M. longifolia subsp. typhoides, M. × rotundifolia and M. suaveolens) distributed throughout Turkey was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The shape of all studied nutlets was broadly oblong or ovoid. Nutlet size ranged from 0.54 to 0.97 mm in length and from 0.37 to 0.66 mm in width. The smallest and biggest nutlets were found in M. × villoso-nervata and M. aquatica, respectively. The Mentha taxa studied can be divided into three groups, based on nut sculpturing type such as distinctly bireticulate, inconspicuously bireticulate and reticulate. This study has shown that some nutlet morphological characteristics can be utilised as additional diagnostic characteristics in delimitations of Mentha at the species and infraspecific levels.
Highlights
Mentha L., one of the most important genera of the family Lamiaceae, has worldwide distribution and it consists of perennial aromatic herbs
Harley (1982) recognized 11 Mentha taxa belonging to two sections (Pulegium and Mentha) from Turkey and two hybrids have been added to Flora of Turkey (Tarimcilar and Kaynak, 1997a, b)
We aim in this study, with the aid of scanning electron microscope (SEM), to provide detailed data on nutlet morphology of 11 Mentha taxa found in Turkey and to determine which characteristics of their nutlets may be used for taxonomic purposes
Summary
Mentha L., one of the most important genera of the family Lamiaceae, has worldwide distribution and it consists of perennial aromatic herbs. × villoso-nervata Opiz, are traditionally used in folk medicine (Baytop, 1999) Mint oil and their constituents obtained from different species of Mentha are used in perfumery, cosmetics and food industries (Kokkini, 1994). The genus comprises 18 species and 11 hybrids placed into four sections, namely Pulegium, Tubulosae, Eriodontes and Mentha according to the latest taxonomic treatment (Tucker and Naczi, 2007). In various genera of family Lamiaceae, the nutlet morphology, anatomy, pericarp structure and their taxonomic significance have been reported by some studies (Husain et al, 1990; Marin et al, 1994; Ryding, 2010). We aim in this study, with the aid of scanning electron microscope (SEM), to provide detailed data on nutlet morphology of 11 Mentha taxa found in Turkey and to determine which characteristics of their nutlets may be used for taxonomic purposes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
