The Important Taxonomic Characteristics of the Family Malvaceae and the Herbarium Specimens in ISTE

Abstract

Herbariums, which are places where dried plant specimens are regularly stored, have indispensable working material, especially for taxonomists. The Herbarium of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Istanbul University (ISTE) is one of Turkey’s most important herbariums and has more than 110 000 plant specimens some of which have medicinal properties. The species of the Malvaceae family that make up some of the plant specimens in ISTE are significant because they are widely used in traditional folk medicine. This family is represented by 10 genera and 47 species (3 endemic) in Turkey. In this study, the specimens of Malvaceae were examined and numerical evaluation of the family in Flora and in ISTE was given. Specimens of one species from every genus that are existing in ISTE were photographed and important taxonomic characteristics of family were shown. In conclusion, 39 taxa belonging to 9 genera in ISTE have been observed and 418 specimens from these taxa were counted. The genus Alcea, which has 130 specimens, has been found to have more specimens than all genera of Malvaceae family. Also, the diagnostic key to genera has been rearranged for the new genus added to the family.