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Seed macro and micro morphology of the selected Nigella (Ranunculaceae) taxa from Turkey and their systematic significance

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Abstract

Macro and micromorphological properties of intact and mature seeds of 12 taxa (species and varieties) belonging to Nigella L. (Ranunculaceae) was investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Material studied covers 11 species of 15 Turkish Nigella. Studied taxa were divided into two types. Type I has ovate to orbicular seeds that includes four species. Type II has triquedrous seeds and includes seven species. Type II was subdivided into two. Type IIa has triquedrous to subpyramidal seeds (five species) and Type IIb has triquedrous to subglobose seeds (two species). Further segregation was performed micromorphologically and an identification key of studied Nigella taxa was given. Studied Nigella taxa have a diverse macro and micromorphological characters that utilize to separate them from each other to assess the systematics of Nigella.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Erciyes University, 38039, Kayseri, Turkey

    Mehmet Y. Dadandi

  2. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mersin University, Yenişehir Campus, 33169, Mersin, Turkey

    Gamze Kökdil & Başak Özbilgin

  3. Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü Imam University, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey

    Ahmet İlçim

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  1. Mehmet Y. Dadandi
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  2. Gamze Kökdil
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  3. Ahmet İlçim
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  4. Başak Özbilgin
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Correspondence to Mehmet Y. Dadandi.

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Dadandi, M.Y., Kökdil, G., İlçim, A. et al. Seed macro and micro morphology of the selected Nigella (Ranunculaceae) taxa from Turkey and their systematic significance. Biologia 64, 261–270 (2009). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11756-009-0030-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11756-009-0030-x

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