The nutlet morphology of the Genus Glechoma L. (Lamiaceae) and its related taxa

Abstract

The nutlet morphology and pericarp structure of 14 taxa (4 taxa of the genus Glechoma and related taxa) were studied by light and scanning electron microscopy, and a detailed description of nutlet morphological features for all examined taxa is provided. The shape of the nutlet is ovate to elliptic. Its size is 1.36-3.83 mm in length and 0.80-2.65 mm in width. The largest one was found in Marmoritis rotundifolia, while the smallest one was in Agastache nepetoides. Three different surface types were recognized in the studied taxa based on differences in cell outline and cell boundary relief (rectangular, pitted, and ridged negative reticulate-cell). Three types of trichome (uni-cellular non-glandular trichome, multi-cellular non-glandular trichome, and peltate glandular trichome) were distributed in the nutlets. The pericarp is formed in three layers (i.e., exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp including sclenchyma tissue), and the pericarp in the studied species is 39.0-237.5 thick. The morphological and anatomical features (the nutlet shape, surface type, and trichome distribution) in the genus Glechoma and related taxa are described and discussed.