The Iranian Journal of Botany
Volume:28 Issue: 2, Autumn and Winter 2022

The present study investigates the molecular phylogeny and micromorphological characteristics of Potentilla indica (Andrews) Th. Wolf (=Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Focke), and P. reptans L.. For the phylogenetic study, the nrDNA ITS, trnH-psbA, and combined sequence datasets were analyzed using maximum Parsimony (MP), Bayesian inference (BI), and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. For the micromorphological study, epicalyx, calyx, and pedicle characters were examined. Individual and combined analyses of ITS and trnH-psbA data revealed a phylogenetic divergence in the Reptans clade, corresponding to P. reptans and P. indica (groups L and M) in ITS trees, P. reptans, P. hebiichigo Yonek. & H.Ohashi (group O) and P. indica (group N) in plastid and combined trees. In all obtained trees, P. indica showed a sister group relationship with P. reptans. The micromorphological characters of the epicalyx, calyx, and pedicel were found to be taxonomically effective for species separation. Furthermore, the results supported the phylogenetic relationships among the species.

Prunus subgenus Cerasus belongs to the Rosaceae family with about 100 species in the world, of which 19 taxa are distributed in Iran. Pollen micromorphological traits of the Iranian taxa belonging to three sections, (Microcerasus, Cerasus, and Mahaleb) were examined using light and scanning electron microscopes. The hierarchical clustering method and principal component analysis of the pollen traits were performed using InfoStat. The results showed that in the subgenus Cerasus pollen grains are monad, radially symmetrical, isopolar, tricolpate to tricolporate, and medium-sized. Pollen shape is rectangular to cylindrical in the equatorial view and triangular to circular in the polar view. The exine ornamentation is striate with or without perforations. The studied pollen can be divided into two types and six subtypes. The rugulate exine ornamentation was only found in P. pseudoprostrata. Ward’s hierarchical clustering method and principal component analysis results did not support the existing sectional delimitation of taxa. However, a high variation in pollen grain characteristics could be observed in taxa within the subgenus Cerasus, especially in dwarf cherries (sect. Microcerasus). These differences are remarkable among closely related species, such as P. microcarpa and its allies. Finally, an identification key to the species is provided.

The present studies dealt with the cypselas morphology of 11 species representing 4 genera of the tribe Coreopsideae (Asteraceae) from Pakistan and Kashmir. The following parameters of the cypselas viz., color, shape, surface, degree of pubescence, base, presence or absence of beak, awns, wings, and carpopodium have been examined by stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The detailed cypselas morphological description of all the studied taxa along artificial keys of genera and species are given. SEM micrographs are provided to clearly show the diagnostic characters. The outcome results of cypselas morphological characters have been analyzed statistically by using SPSS 21, to search out the correlation between cypselas characters and gross morphological characters as well as to find the close affinities among the studied taxa of the tribe Coreopsideae from the study area. The present findings conclude that the cypsela characters can be used as diagnostic taxonomic characters for the delimitation of taxa.

The present study provides an overview of geographic distribution patterns as well as the conservation priorities assessment of the genus Pseudopodospermum in Iran, using a GIS framework. A set of geographic distribution data was compiled through field studies, reviews of Flora Iranica, Flora of Iran, and examination of the herbarium specimens deposited at various herbaria. The geographic distribution mappings of the genus were analyzed using ArcView and DIVA-GIS software. High species richness was observed in Kurdo-Zagrosian Province, followed by Fars-Kerman, Atropatanean, and Northern Khorasan Provinces in Irano-Turanian phytogeographical region. Regarding our results, it could be concluded that effective conservation management in Kurdo-Zagrosian Province would lead to protecting a high percentage of Pseudopodospermum species against the threat of extinction.

Allium L. (Amaryllidaceae) comprises bulbous plants and is one of the largest monocots genera in the world. Members of the Allium subgen. Allium sect. Longivaginata were studied and updated in Iran. So far, five species from this section have been reported from Iran. During the study, an interesting specimen of this section was identified as Allium arlgirdense Blakelock from west Azerbaijan (at the border of Iran, Turkey, and Iraq). It is reported as a new record for the flora of Iran. Furthermore, Allium petri and A. jaegeri are recognized as synonyms of A. longivaginatum, and A. dolichovaginatum as a synonymy of A. autumniflorum. Description, distribution map of species, and an identification key for the section are presented.

The present study deals with new information on the conspecific taxa of Matthiola spathulata.  By examining the type specimens and species descriptions, it was concluded that Matthiola boissieri and its nomenclatural synonym, i. e. M. odoratissima subsp. boissieri are synonyms of M. spathulata.

The type specimen of Scorzonera helodes Rech.f. was collected by Rechinger, the Austrian botanist in 1974 from the high mountain wet meadows between Daran and Buin in Esfahan. At the same time and on the same trip, another specimen was collected by the Finnish botanist, Alava, from the same place. 38 years later in 2012, another specimen of the species was collected by Maroofi, the Iranian botanist, from Kharke on the road from Sanandaj to Divandareh in Kurdistan Province. All of these specimens lack ripened achenes (which is necessary for accurate identification and determination of the sections in the genus). The section of the species was not specified when it was introduced by Rechinger (1977). Finally, in 2015, the second author collected several standard specimens with ripened achenes from an area around Tazeh-kand-e Fakhrilou village in Zanjan Province, NW Iran. By extensive and detailed examination of the specimens, the authors came to the conclusion that these specimens are Scorzonera helodes Rech.f. and belong to Subgen. Scorzonera Sect. Dimorphopapposa Lipsch. In addition, here the description of the species is emended.

Onosma hawramanensis S. A. Ahmad (Boraginaceae), is reported here as a new record from Kuhsallan Mountain (Hawraman region, Kurdistan province) for the flora of Iran. The geographical distribution of the new record and its diagnostic characters as well as its distribution map and illustrations are presented.

During the study of the vegetation of Khuzestan Province and plant collection from high mountain areas, a small population of Myopordon aucheri Boiss. was observed in the summer of 2022 on the ridge of Mt. Keyno, located in the southwest of Iran. The new collection is far from the original collection in Zardkoh Bakhtiari from about 176 years ago and extends the distribution of species to Khuzestan.

Seven plant species belonging to 5 genera of Apiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, and Solanaceae family were studied. The chromosome numbers for four taxa including Pimpinella aurea 2n=20, Convolvulus leiocalycinus 2n=24, Astragalus jesdianus 2n=16, and Salvia mirzayanii 2n=20 are reported for the first time and the chromosome number of Conium maculatum 2n=22, Ziziphora tenuior 2n=18 and Datura innoxia 2n=24 are reported in the flora of Iran for the first time. Karyotypic analyses of all species are presented.

Original meiotic chromosome counts are presented for 12 species in seven families of Angiosperms from Iran, including Allium lngisepalum Bertol. (n=8), Allium cristophii Trautv. (n=8), Allium scabriscapum Boiss. & Kotschy (n=8), Centaurea gaubae (Bornm.) Wagenitz (n=14), Leucanthemum vulgare, (n=18), Tragopogon vaginatum (n=6), Ferula persica Willd. (n=11), Zosima absinthifolia (Vent.) Link. (n=5), Lathyrus rotundifolius Willd. (n=7), Erodium oxyrrhychum M. Bieb. subsp. Oxyrrhychum (n=20), Agrimonia procera (Rosaceae) (n=28), Dendrostellera lessertii Van Tiegh (n=9). Three counts are reported for the first time and eight meiotic studies are presented here for the first time.

Sargassum is widely distributed throughout rocky, coastal upwelling areas in the warm water of the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf in Iran. This alga is of great environmental and industrial importance. However, little information is available that documents the genetic variability of the genus. In this study, fifteen populations of six species of Sargassum were analyzed with ISSR bands. These populations were collected from four localities of Oman sea coasts in 2 seasons (autumn and winter) from 2017 to 2020. The ISSR bands were treated as binary characters and coded accordingly. Genetic diversity parameters were determined in each population. Grouping of the populations with UPGMA and PCOA analysis separated the studied species into distinct clusters but few individuals of the Zygocarpiae section were spread in clusters. Analysis revealed significant genetic differences among populations and some degree of genetic admixture and gene exchange among the studied populations.

This study is the first attempt to investigate some diatom species in the western rivers of Lake Urmia. The study presents the details of Encyaonema, Craticula, and Cymatopleura at the lowest taxonomic level to provide information in terms of species taxonomy, morphology and ecology. In order to determine the morphological similarities in species level of the aforementioned genera, 14 sites were repeatedly sampled along the rivers from September 2021 to August 2022. The results showed a high diversity of diatoms including Encyonema caespitosum. Encyonema silesiacum, Encyonema prostratum, Craticula cuspidata, Craticula ambigua, Cymatopleura solea, Cymatopleura apiculata, Cymatopleura hibernica and Cymatopleura elliptica. The taxonomic and ecological study of the observed species from the western rivers of Lake Urmia indicates diatom assemblage closely integrated with the limnology and ecological status of the rivers. Indeed, the results infer that the rivers undergo a transition from freshwater to brackish, particularly where the rivers terminate at Lake Urmia.

The western coast of Gujarat, India, specifically the Veraval coastal area, was the site of the present study, which is situated at 20˚54 N latitude and 70˚21 E longitude. It has a flat, rocky inter-tidal belt with numerous tidal pools and crevasses. Seaweeds were noticed intermittently; some species were only seen for brief periods, whereas others were obtainable for two to three months. From October 2020 to February 2022, seaweed was harvested from the inter-tidal zones during the experiments. Seaweeds were found during the study period, but they weren't always there. Some species were only observed for a brief time, and other species only appeared during a particular season. The species that were collected were taxonomically identified and categorized. A checklist of the species available was prepared along with their potential utilization. A total of 83 species were identified throughout the investigation, with Rhodophyta having more species than Chlorophyta and Phaeophyta collectively. During the diversity survey, economically important species like Ulva lactuca, Ulva fasciata, Sargassum sp., and Caulerpa sp., were reported. Among them, Ulva lactuca, Sargassum sp. was highly dominated followed by Gracilaria spp.