Comparative morphological, anatomical, micromorphological, and palynological studies on the genera Opopanax and Crenosciadium (Apiaceae)

Abstract

In the present study, morphological, micromorphological, palynological and anatomical characteristics of the genera Opopanax and Crenosciadium are reviewed and compared. The genus Opopanax is distributed in southern Europe, the Mediterranean region and Western Asia, and it is represented by three species in Turkey. Crenosciadium is a poorly known monotypic genus from Turkey, recently treated as synonym in Opopanax. Expanded descriptions, phenology, geographic distributions, and images of habitus of Opopanax and Crenosciadium are given. The differences between the two genera are discussed. The pollen morphology of Opopanax and Crenosciadium is studied by SEM and LM. The palynological results confirmed the stenopalynous characteristic of the family Apiaceae, and revealed that the pollen grains of both genera are perprolate in shape. Also fruit surface ornamentation of both genera is typically striate, and epidermal cells are polygonal or elongated in one direction. Cross-sections of mature fruits are examined and a detailed anatomical description is presented. Mericarp shape and width are very useful characters for discrimination between Opopanax and Crenosciadium; mericarp ribs are also very significant characteristics to discriminate both genera. Our findings, together with previous molecular data, clearly indicate that Crenosciadium differs considerably from Opopanax, and therefore it should be accepted at genus rank.

Opopanax ve Crenosciadium cinsleri arasındaki filogenetik ilişkinin çekirdek ve kloroplast DNA dizisi verilerinin kullanılarak belirlenmesi

“…In conclusion, our previously published rearrangements [10] have been confirmed by phylogenetic analysis in this new study. Opopanax species show a correlation between morphologic diagnostic characters and molecular taxonomic classification in the dendogram.…”

“…A revised tribal classification of Opopanax and Crenosciadium was proposed by Ajani et al [12] and Downie et al [21]. The first comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of Opopanax, based ITS sequence [10] show that the genus very closely related to Smyrniopsis aucheri and these positions were confirmed by Ajani et al [12] and Downie et. al [21].…”

“…Koch and O. hispidus in Flora Europaea [8]. According to Flora of Turkey and the latest study, Opopanax represented three species in Turkey [9][10]. Turkey is the only area where all Opopanax species can proliferate together.…”

MORPHO-ANATOMICAL AND PALYNOLOGICAL STUDIES ON ENDEMIC CRENOSCIADIUM SIIFOLIUM BOISS. & HELDR. FROM TURKEY

“…Sclerenchyma tissue is well-developed below the parenchyma, 7-8 layered. Numerous collateral type vascular bundles (13)(14)(15)(16)(17) are arranged in a ring. Phloem and xylem partly separated from one another by sclerenchyma and ground tissue.…”

“…The number of rays ranges from 5-20 in Opopanax hispidus (Friv.) Gris., from 7-25 in O. chironium (L.) W. Koch, and from 8-Crenosciadium is laterally compressed and Crenosciadium has five ribs, whereas the genus of Opopanax have three dorsal ridges[13]. In 2012, Yusuf Menemen transferred C. siifolium to the genus Opopanax and identified as Opopanax siifolius (Boiss.…”