Abstract
We studied seed macro- and micro-morphological characteristics of 48 Allium species (51 accessions) belonging to 24 sections and 7 subgenera. Our taxonomic sampling focused on the central Asian regions of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia. The seed length ranged between 1.74 ± 0.16–4.47 ± 0.43 mm and width ranged between 1.06 ± 0.08–3.44 ± 0.23 mm, showing various shapes. The irregular and elongated polygonal testa cells occurred in all investigated species. Seed testa sculptures showed high variation in their anticlinal walls associated with different shapes: straight to with U-, S- or Omega-type undulations among the species. The moderately flat to convex periclinal walls with various sized verrucae or granules were found in all investigated taxa. Based on our research, we conclude that seed characteristics such as size, shape, and the seed testa features show their significant variability, revealing key characteristics to support taxonomic relationships and major clades recovered in the molecular phylogeny of the genus Allium. Especially, the anticlinal wall characteristics were highly variable and decisive at the both section and species levels. In addition, widely varied shapes and sizes of the seeds were remarkably effective to distinguish Allium species.
Highlights
The genus Allium L., comprising more than 920 species [1], is one of the most diverse and the largest genus of monocots [2,3]
According to our morphometric measurements, the seed length ranged between 1.74 ± 0.16–4.47 ± 0.43 mm and the width ranged between 1.06 ± 0.08–3.44 ± 0.23 mm
Our results described the seed of this subgenus as generally well-distinguished from other species of the genus Allium by its oval-spherical or oval-hemispherical shapes
Summary
The genus Allium L., comprising more than 920 species [1], is one of the most diverse and the largest genus of monocots [2,3]. 800 species belonging to 15 subgenera and 72 sections [2]. Li et al [3] defined 13 subgenera and 34 sections based on morphological and molecular studies of Allium in China. Some ambiguous subgenera and sections have been revised, depending on their morphological characteristics, molecular information, biogeographical distribution, and evolutionary history. Melanocrommyum [5,6,7]; subg. Amerallium [8,9], subg. Rhizirideum [12], and sect.
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