Comparative anatomy on the vegetative organs of genus Ziziphora L. (Lamiaceae) from Turkey

The genus Ziziphora L. (Lamiaceae) is represented by five species (nine taxa) in the Turkish Flora. These taxa are Z. clinopodioides Lam. (subsp. elbursensis, subsp. filicaulis, subsp. kurdica, subsp. rigida), Z. capitata L., Z. persica Bunge, Z. tenuior L., Z. taurica Bieb. subsp. taurica, and Z. taurica Bieb. subsp. cleonioides (Boiss.) Davis which to be an endemic taxon for Turkey. They are strongly aromatic herbs which contain rich pulegone and used as herbal teas and spices and for this reason. In this study, comparative anatomy of the genus Ziziphora growing in Turkey is presented for the first time. In anatomical studies, cross sections of vegetative organs such as the root, stem, and leaf (lamina and petiole) were examined. In addition, to exhibit stomatal distribution and anatomy on adaxial and abaxial leaves were taken surface sections of the lamina and calculated stomatal index. Lamina and petiole anatomy were shown to be of great importance in the taxonomy of the Ziziphora taxa. The presence or absence of sclerenchyma in midrib of lamina and petiole, cortex parenchyma layer, mesophyll structure, and epidermal surface were found to be important characters for identification of Ziziphora taxa.