Seed Mucilage Contents in Some Taxa of Aubrieta Adans. Genus (Brassicaceae) and Their Systematic Importance

Abstract

In this study, mucilage characterization and their systematic importance in the seeds of the 3 Aubrieta taxa, which are A. deltoidea, A. canescens subsp. canescens and A. canescens subsp. cilicica have discussed. In the examined taxa have found mucilage cells on the seed surface, and they have formed a slippery liquid in contact with water. The mucilage in the studied taxa are made up of the pectin or cellulose structures. Furthermore, there were variations in columellae figures in the examined Aubrieta taxa, which are in reduced, prominent, or flattened figures. Also, soil adhesion volumes of the studied taxa varied between 83 mg and 175 mg. The occurrence of mucilage may provide an important role in seed scattering and colonization in terms of the new habitation in Aubrieta taxa.