Taxonomical, morphological, palynological, anatomical and ecological investigations on monotypic genus Pachyphragma from Turkey

Abstract

The target of this work was to examine the taxonomical, morphological, anatomical, palynological, and ecological features and geographical distribution of the monotypic genus Pachypragma (P. macrophyllum) growing in Turkey. The flowering and fruiting periods of the species were recorded. Sampling was performed at different areas during 2015 to 2016. In the morphological investigation, the description of the genus was updated as a result of comprehensive evaluations of many samples, and distinguishing characteristics of the species. Moreover, micrographs of the seed and pollen surfaces of the species were taken using scanning electron microscope. The seed surface ornamentation was reticulate or alveolate-reticulate. The pollen grains were mostly radially, isopolar, and prolate, with polar axes of 18.36 ± 0.27 µm and equatorial axes of 12.11 ± 0.18 µm, and their outlines were oval in the equatorial axes and elliptical in the polar axes. The pollen grains were mostly tricolpate. The anatomical structures of the stem, root, and leaf were also studied. The geographical dispersion of the taxon is along the borders of Turkey. The physical and chemical features of the soil with live taxa of the studied taxon were ecologically examined. The species risk category was determined in accordance with International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria.