Being a large genus in the Asteraceae family, the genus Centaurea is a complex and problematic taxon. Centaurea virgata Lamark is a widespread and invasive species of the Centaurea genus. This species is found in different regions of Iran. However, there are limited studies on this plant, especially at the morphologic and genetic level. The present study aimed to investigate the intraspecific variations of C.virgata collected from different regions of Iran based on morphological data. A morphometric study based on 27 quantitative and 28 qualitative morphological characters was carried out on 65 specimens from 31 populations. Cluster and principal coordinates analyses (PCO) of morphological characters showed that the 31 populations could be divided into three main groups and two subgroups. The analyses of variance (ANOVA) of morphological characters indicated that most of the evaluated characters were significantly different (P˂0.05) among C. virgata populations. It also demonstrated that there were not significant differences (P˂0.01) among populations of C. virgata for six morphological characters, including the width of the inflorescence leaves, inner phyllaries width, outer phyllaries width, outer phyllaries cilia length, phyllary rows number, and stamen number. It could be concluded that there is a high morphological variation among various populations of C. virgata collected from different regions of Iran. These morphological variations of C. virgata populations can be related to different ecological and environmental conditions or endogenous factors such as genetics, and the presence of adaptation mechanisms to specific situations.

Takht-e-Solayman zone is highly rich from the viewpoint of diverse morphological units. This morphological diversity is mostly caused by climatic factors and lithological characteristics, erosion, weathering processes and tectonic movements. Geomorphologic characteristics of Takht-e-Solayman zone are influenced by internal and external morphodynamic factors. As a geomorphologic-environmental achievement, this research has been dealt with the investigation of external factors. The available morphologic indications in the study area are divided into 3 general groups including morphodynamic, morphotectonic and morphogentic units and then presented in the form of a geomorphologic map. For this purpose, several new information layers of the zone are prepared in GIS environment using basic maps and field investigations and finally the landforms evaluated using ASTER and ETM+ satellite images.

Zataria multiflora is the only known species of the genus Zataria, which usually grows on dry and mountainous areas in the southwest, south and southeast of the Iranian plateau. Excessive harvesting, unfavorable climatic conditions and uncontrolled grazing have endangered its survival in native habitats. Therefore, identifying habitats and investigating morphological diversity are necessary to protect their populations. Between 2018 and 2019, the growth areas of this species were identified in different provinces of Iran and 15 populations in five provinces were selected to evaluate morphological diversity. Twenty-one morphological traits were analyzed by different methods. The number of inflorescences per plant, dry weight, the number of flowers per inflorescences, and fresh weight (coefficient of variation of 93.76, 73.08, 71.01, and 64.25%, respectively) were the main morphological traits with the highest variation among populations. Phenotypic correlation analysis showed a significant correlation among leaf dimensions, biomass parameters and reproductive traits. Cluster analysis, divided the 15 populations into two independent clusters. Thirteen populations with rather low amounts of morphological traits were grouped in the first cluster. In addition, two populations including Khonj and Juyom populations were placed in the second cluster that was characterized by higher values of important morphological traits in breeding programs of medicinal plants. Finally, in the present study it was observed that, high morphological variations in Z. multiflora populations from different parts of Iran that may be attributed to their different ecological, geographical origin and genetic factors.

Persicaria lapathifolia subsp. nodosa is recorded for the first time for the flora of Iran. Morphological variation of this taxon in Iran has been studied. This subspecies differs from P. lapathifolia subsp. lapathifolia by having densely glandular peduncles and leaves with golden glands beneath. The most characteristic features of this subspecies are presence of red spots on the stem and having smaller and lax spikes.

The pomegranate fruit is one of the most important horticultural products due to the presence of polyphenolic, antioxidant and anti-fungal compounds. In the present study, morphological and phytochemical compounds diversity was investigated in eight Iranian commercial pomegranate cultivars. Fourteen morphological characters and 10 chemical compounds were measured. Based on PCA analysis the most variable morphological characteristics among Punica cultivars studied were the wood surface, the leaf tip, the leaf incision, growth power and rained condition. High-performance liquid chromatograms of chlorgenic acid, caffeic acid, Para Coumaric acid as well as titrable acidity, total soluble solid, total phenolic contents, antioxidant activity in juice and peel of cultivars differentiated the cultivars studied. Comparing the two UPGMA dendrograms of Punica cultivars based on morphological data and chemical contents indicated certain disagreement between them. The correlation between morphological and chemical compounds and geographical distances of Punica cultivars was not statistically significant by the Mantel test. These findings indicate that Punica cultivars studied differ in their genetic content, however, this genetic difference is not correlated with their geographical distance.

This research was accomplished during 2005 to 2006 at Weed Resaerch Department، Iranian Plant Protection of Research Institute for identification of morphophysiological variation of field bindweed population، and introduction of this weed biotypes in Karaj. The study was done by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA) based upon 43 morphological and physiological variables. Due to Karaj climate، The most important variables were shoot dry weight (SDW)، (5. 71-34. 40 g) total biomass (10. 56-36. 91 g) and leaf area (557. 56-1948. 34 cm2)، respectively. The results of this experience showed 11 biotypes in Karaj. The variability in morphological and physiological of these field bindweed biotypes may explain their different adaptability as the environmental conditions and different management practices change.

This study was performed to evaluate the morphological diversity in 16 Plantago ovata ecotypes in a randomized complete block design with three replications using 22 morphological traits. In cluster analysis using standardized data, the distances between the ecotypes were estimated with the square Euclidean distance method and the dendrogram was plotted by Ward’s method. Factor analysis was performed by Verimax method. The mean squares of ecotypes were significant for all traits, except the amount and percentage of mucilage. The results of cluster analysis grouped the ecotypes into three clusters. The accuracy of the results of clustering was confirmed by discriminant function analysis. In factor analysis, five factors were extracted that explained 86.77% of the variance among traits. The most important effective traits in determining the variance were plant height, inflorescence tail length, spike length, harvest index and 1000-seed weight, which were in the first factor. Morphological diversity among the ecotypes was significant for most traits and PO12, PO15, and PO6 ecotypes were superior to the other ecotypes in terms of mean grain yield and mucilage content.

Halophytes are able to complete their life cycle in saline soils and can be used optimally if there are proper management plans. Halocnemum strobilaceum (Amaranthaceae) is a perennial and often shrub that grows in the northwest, center and southeast of Iran. The importance of this plant is in soil protection and forage production with the highest percentage of plant composition in saline and alkaline areas of the Golestan province (north of Iran). Therefore, recognizing its genetic diversity, to select the best genotypes is necessary. In this study, the morphological and genetic diversity of 13 populations in Golestan province was investigated. Nineteen quantitative and qualitative traits were selected for biometric and morphological studies and then multivariate statistical analyzes were performed. Four primers were used to assess genetic diversity, producing a total of 27 bands. The present study proved that, morphological characteristics as well as molecular data of ISSR are useful in differentiating H. strobilaceum populations. Both quantitative and qualitative morphological features are important and appropriate for the population differentiation. The present study also showed a high level of inter-population genetic diversity. Ward Cluster Analysis, based on morphological features and molecular data, showed significant information on the relationships of the studied populations.

Fifteen populations of Damask rose were collected from important rose oil production regions of Kashan for evaluation of morphological variation. Fifty two quantitative and seventeen qualitative morphological characters were measured. Cluster and Principal component analysis (PCA) of morphological characters showed that the fifteen populations could be divided into two major groups including five subgroups. The variance analysis showed significant differences (P<0.01) among populations of Rosa damascena for 28 morphological characters such as stem length, leaf length and number of flowers per plant. Significant correlations were observed between different traits. The results are indicative of morphological variation among different populations of R. damascena from Kashan. Therefore, some of the traits such as number of flower per branch and number of flowers per plant, which showed a positive strong correlation in this study, or the number of prickle can be used as significant and important attributes in determining the criteria for the evaluation and selection of populations. The essential oil content (w/w) of flowers was assayed after extraction in Clevenger apparatus. Correlation results showed that there is a significant relationship between some morphological characters and essential oil content. Stipule length had a significant positive correlation with the essential oil content, while a significant negative correlation was observed for pedicle length and receptacle glandular length with the essential oil content.

In a taxonomic revision of the genus Scutellaria in Iran, the specimens identified as Sc. multicaulis Boiss. in the herbarium of Research Institute of Forests & Rangelands (TARI) as well as specimens belonging to the newly collected materials were examined and sampled for DNA sequencing by using nrDNA ITS and cpDNA trnL-F as molecular markers. Morphological variations such as flowers color, leaf shape and indumentum were diagnostic characters in the studied specimens. Accordingly, specimens could be divided into two different morphological groups. Sampling of representatives of each morphological group was carried out for DNA sequencing. The results showed differences in sequences of determined groups. Based on the results of this study, three new taxa are recognized and described.