MACRO AND MICRO MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF FRUIT AND SEEDS IN THE GENUS ALYSSUM (BRASSICACEAE)

In this study, the fruit and seed characteristics of twelve species belonging to 5 sections of the genus Alyssum (Brassicaceae) were investigated in 12 populations from different localities in Eskisehir/Turkey. Morphological and micromorphological studies were carried out using stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate the nutlet and fruit characteristics to determine the systematic relationships of 12 species belonging to the genus Alyssum from the family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae). The methods used in the numerical analysis included clustering [unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA)] and principal component analysis (PCA). PCA allowed for most of the among the seed micromorphology to be highlighted and provided possible explanations for them. According to the UPGMA analysis, the most related taxa were A. linifolium with A. obtusifolium and A. niveum with A. simplex As a result of the PCA, it was determined that the extension width as well as the extension length minimum and maximum values are important characters to be used in the classification of Alyssum.

Automated summary

This study investigated the fruit and seed characteristics of twelve species from the genus Alyssum in different populations in Eskisehir, Turkey. Morphological and micromorphological studies were conducted to determine the systematic relationships of these species. Numerical analysis techniques including clustering and principal component analysis were employed. The results highlighted important characters for the classification of Alyssum.