Anatomical and Genetic Characterization of the Genus Xanthium Species From Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Taxonomy of Xanthium genus is very problematic because of numerous described taxa and low morphological distinction among species. In this study anatomical and genetic variability of Xanthium genus in the region of Bosnia and Herzegovina was analyzed. Based upon morphological characteristics analyzed plant material two species X. spinosum and X. orientale were determined. Within species X. orientale two infraspecific taxa X. orientale subsp. italicum and X. orientale subsp. riparium were identified. The anatomical differences were observed at the level of species, but they were not ascertained at subspecies level. The genetic results based on ITS2 sequences were in accordance with anatomical analyses. Regarding anatomical and genetic analysis two species were confirmed but there were no differences at the subspecies level.