Morphological and Anatomical Study on Endemic Saponaria Pamphylica Boiss. & Heldr. (Caryophyllaceae)

Abstract

In this study, morphological and anatomical characteristics of Saponaria pamphylica Boiss. & Heldr., an endemic species,
were investigated. Capsule and seed properties of the species haven’t been defined systematically in Flora of Turkey. Therefore,
anatomical and morphological study was done by investigating undefined properties. Morphologically, it was observed that the
species has a perennial root system, the herbaceous stem is cylindrical, leaves are simple, glabrous on the both surfaces, capsules
are oblong-cylindrical, articulate, many seeds, seeds are colliculate. Anatomical properties on transverse and surface sections of the
root, stem and leaf were investigated. In the anatomical investigations it has been observed that root showed secondary thickening,
pericycle characterised by a sclerenchymatous ring on the stem, epidermis has eglandular and glandular hairs on the upper part of
the stem, mesophyll consists of 4-layered palisade parenchyma cells and root, stem and leaves have druse crystals. Transverse and
surface sections of the root, stem and leaf were also photographed. Additionally, seeds and pollens of the species were examined
by scanning electron microscope (SEM).